


111 

:ig§§ 
111 

illliiP 

flSB Jiiiiil 1 i 




* 









Kill 


HiBlf H ill! 


II 









I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, I 
i * 



:|it^, 



[opgrigtii ?\o. 



— ? 



| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



THE TRUTHS 



OF 



SPIRITUALISM. 



IMMORTALITY PROVED BEYOND A DOUBT 

BY LIVING WITNESSES. 



V 



By E. V. WILSON, The Seer. 

COMPILED FROM TWENTY-FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE OF WHAT HE SAW AND HEARD. 






For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid 
that shall not be known." 



nioH 



CHICAGO : 

HAZLITT & REED, PRINTERS, 1 72 AND 174 CLARK STREET. 
1876. 










COPYRIGHT. 


EBENEZER 


V. WILSON. 


A. D. 


1876. 



asawtr ot Wotkttfs fw Sbpivit %itt y 

WHO HAVE, 

BY THEIR ADVICE AND COUNSEL, EVER SUSTAINED AND 
UPHELD ME IN MY 

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY 

THE AUTHOR. 



And the Spirits of the Prophets are Subject to the Prophets.' 



PREFACE 



Dear Header : We present you this volume of 
facts — tests from Spiri't Life, given in every part 
of our country, and approved by those to whom 
they were given. 

They are but a few, selected from many thousands 
we have registered in our diary. The dialogues 
and discussions occurred just as they are related. 

We give you facts just as they occurred, and you 
can prove their correctness by writing to any of 
the places we refer to. One thing the reader can 
rely on, and that is, the facts speak for themselves. 
We are continually giving tests of Spirit presence 
wherever we go. e. v. w. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
Charlotte Stewart Keeps her Promise, and Shakes Hands after 
Death — Our Position on Reform — Who am I? — What the 

Spirits Tell Me 11 

CHAPTER II. 
E. V. Wilson at Morrison, 111. — Interview with Cropps, the Mur- 
derer—A Talk with Spirits 26 

CHAPTER III. 
The Angels Came to Our House 35 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Gambler and the Spirits 31 

CHAPTER V. 

A Seance and Its Results, at Hannibal, Mo., December, 1868_._48 

CHAPTER VI. 
A Dialogue between a Christian and a Spiritualist 54 

CHAPTER VII. 

The Fire Test; or, Tried in the Fire and Found True 60 

CHAPTER VIII. 
The Quincy (Mich.) Wonder — The Salem (111.) Tests 75 

CHAPTER IX. 
The Lyncher and his Victims — I love Jesus, my Jesus 85 

CHAPTER X. 
Woman and Her Mission — Wonderful Case of Healing — Bitten 
by a Bloodhound. _ .' 91 

CHAPTER XL 
Tests from Spirit Life — Is it a Delusion and Trick? 101 

CHAPTER XII. 
Tests at Racine, Madison and Reedsburgh, Wisconsin 112 

CO 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XIII. 
A Conversation with Elder Tanner, Mormon 127 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Parting with Mary — Prayer for Farmer Mary's Sake 142 

CHAPTER XV. 
The Visit to Saugatuck — The Inquisitive Man — The Fire 
Fiend — The Minister, his Wrath — The Return Home 148 

CHAPTER XVI. 
A Remarkable Coincident 154 

CHAPTER XVII. 
The Steam Engine and Its Eccentricities — No. 30 — Jim 
Smith's Advice .. 159 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Spiritualism in Syracuse, New York — Dr. Jared B. Parker — 
The School Teacher — Lieutenant Charles George 163 

CHAPTER XIX. 
A Talk with the Spirits _ 167 

CHAPTER XX. 
Farmington, Ohio — The Badger Graham — Mr. Hashmord's 
Statement — The Trap — The Faction — The Victory 173 

CHAPTER XXI. 

An Evening with E. V. Wilson and the Spirits. 177 

CHAPTER XXII. 

A Few Facts from Spirit Life 183 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Skaneateles— -The Lake — The Village — The Tests 187 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Belief in Immortality ,. 192 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Mecliumship Defined 200 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
A Remarkable Spirit Phenomena — A Spiritual Incident 204 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
Electricity and Religion — Christian Generosity — Brick Bats 
and Theology — Baptized into Glory 213 



CONTENTS. * IX 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

The Cause in Philadelphia — The Prayer Gauge 221 

CHAPTER XXIX. 
Lexington, Ky. — A Startling Test — I am in your Hands — J. B. 

Sandusky Testifies — The Doubting Tom Marshall 227 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Tests at Greenville, Illinois _ 231 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The Old Spirit of Bitterness Still Lives 235 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
The Death Scene of Phineas Eames — Under Spirit Control.. 241 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
A Miracle, or Something Like It — The Lottery and Church 
Gambling — The Death of Ingraham Gould, Esq 247 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 

Questions and Answers 252 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
A Wonderful Test atDes Moines 257 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The Circle for Spiritual Phenomena — How to Form It 262 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 

Home Life with Farmer Mary — Tests in McHenry, 111 268 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Wonderful Phenomena in Portage, Ohio 272 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 

"The Mystery of Death — Where is our Little Pet?" 278 

CHAPTER XL. 

Church and State — Power and Influence of Christianity. _. 284 

CHAPTER XLI. 

We Close the Year 1871 in Chicago— Philadelphia 291 

CHAPTER XLII. 
Lieut. Charley H. — The Denial — The Approval — The Rail- 
road Accident — A Day in Xew York 298 

CHAPTER XL1IL 
Sitting with Dr. Slade 307 



X • CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XL1V. 
Return to Philadelphia — The New Yorker and Jim Fisk ...315 

CHAPTER XLV. 

Our Visit to Hammonton — The Home of Brother Peebles. ..322 

CHAPTER XLYL 

Royer's Ford —Schuylkill Valley — Valley Forge 328 

CHAPTER XLVIL 

Seance in Camden, New Jersey — Mind Reading 333 

CHAPTER XLVIII. 

We leave Harrisburg, Pa. — York, Pa 336 

CHAPTER XLIX. 

Washington, D. C. — Bro. Davis is here — Junius Unmasked.. 343 

CHAPTER L. 

Wilmington, Del. — Philadelphia — New York — Troy 354 

CHAPTER LI. 

Detroit, Mich. — At Nunica 358 

CHAPTER LIL 
The Immortal Thomas Paine — The Vision — The Treasure ..366 

CHAPTER LIU. 
Call on Capt. Ward — Lyons, Mich. — Mrs. Holmes — Lieut. H..368 

CHAPTER LIV. 
Keokuk, Iowa — The Test — The Prophecy — Its Fulfillment — 
Marion, Iowa — Burlington, Iowa — Madison 374 

CHAPTER LV. 
Spiritualism in Buffalo — Its Condition — The Tests 380 

CHAPTER LVI. 

Rochelle, 111. — Elder Miles Grant — Rev. H. S. Weller. 383 

CHAPTER LVII. 
Hannibal, Mo. — Palmyra, Mo. — Oskaloosa — Names of Spirits 
given — Light and Darkness 392 



THE TRUTHS OF 

SPIRITUALISM 



CHAPTEK I. 

Charlotte Stewart Keeps her Promise and Shakes Hands after 
Death — Order to Make Medicine — It is Made — Our Position 
on Reform —Who am I ? What am I ? Where am I ? —Why I 
am not a Christian — What the Spirits Tell Me. 

SPIRITS SHAKING HANDS. KEEPING HER 
PROMISE. 

In May, 1854, our dear friend and sister Charlotte 
Stewart, of Toronto, C. W., took a severe cold, and 
being of a frail physical form, with strong pulmonary 
tendencies, she fell into a decline, and ultimately died 
of consumption. During her illness, she was fre- 
quently at our house, and we had frequent conversa- 
tions upon the subject of death, the future, and the 
powers of the soul in the other life. She was a good 
musical medium, and many is the time we have heard 
the angels discourse sweet music through her medium- 
ship. She continued failing and wasting away until 

(11) 



12 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

September, when she gave up and laid down to die. 
We called on her one day, and when sitting by her 
side, she said to ns: " All is over ; I must die. My 
physicians tell me I cannot live. But, my brother, I 
am not afraid ; death has no terror for me ; I shall 
not sleep in the grave." 

A little after this conversation, we took our leave 
and meditated long upon this life and its relation to 
the future life. 

About ten days subsequently, when standing at my 
desk writing a business letter, my old and tried friend, 
John Swain, came to me and said : " Our Indian 
friend Jim says we must have a circle to-night at the 
house of Sister C. S.; that the Indian medicine spirit 
will make medicine for our sister, the sick squaw, and 
has ordered our circle to meet at her house this even- 
ing at eight o'clock. Can you attend?" 

li Yes," we replied, " we can ; but have not time to 
notify other members of the circle, but will call on 
Miss S., and notify her." 

" Yery well," said Brother S., " then I will attend 
to the rest of the circle," and he left. We continued 
writing. 

Soon after the departure of Brother S., we were 
again interrupted by Dr. A., who said, u Friend Wil- 
son, I have just left Sister C. Stewart, and your old 
spirit friend, Jim Black, the Seneca, has been with 
her, and said, ' call the circle together this night, at 
her house, and the big spirit medium will make medi- 
cine for sick squaw, that will cure her.'' ' 

" Who did Jim say must come?" we asked. 



SPIRITS SHAKING HANDS. 13 

Dr. A. answered: " He said my squaw and her chief, 
big man and little squaw, and several others, mem- 
bers of the circle." 

We said to Dr. A., " Keep this to yourself, do not 
let any one outside of those named know anything 
of what is going on." 

When night came we were, in accordance with the 
order of the spirits, at our friend's house, and found 
the house full of people. We called a council of the 
spirits, and they determined who should remain in 
the circle and who not. As our memory serves us 
now, there w T ere present in the room, Mr. and Mrs. 
John Swain, Mrs. S. being the medium, Mr. and Mrs. 
J. B. Caulkings, Ri chard Arnold and Lady, Thomas 
Anderson, Thomas McClear, Dr. Aulflick, Mr. Stew- 
art, brother of the sick woman, E. Y. Wilson and Mrs. 
Wilson, and one or two others. We were ordered to 
clear the room of all but those named, to set in the 
circle. 

Said the spirit : " You will now take the sick woman 
and lay her on the sofa in the parlor, after which, you 
will place some distilled water on the table in an 
earthen pitcher ; also a tumbler. You will then re- 
duce the light, not put it out, and form the circle 
around the table on which stands the water;" all of 
this was complied with. Soon there came many loud 
and continous raps, with shaking of the table; then 
the tumbler began a rotary oscillating motion, fre- 
quently striking heavy raps upon the table. The 
pitcher was taken from the table and tipped over 
the tumbler until the glass was filled half full of 



14 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

water. The glass continued shaking and oscillating 
for ten or fifteen minutes in a violent manner, throw- 
ing some of the water out on the table. Then the 
motion moderated down to a gentle rotary oscillating 
one, and all this without contact of human hands. 
Then came to the rim of the tumbler small globules 
of light, some sparkling like diamonds, some blue, 
some white, others red and yellow. These continued 
to come and drop into the water in the tumbler. Some- 
times we could hear a slight noise such as might be 
made by dropping a small spark of fire into water. 
Soon there came a very strong but pleasant aroma, 
filling the whole room ; this continued full twenty 
minutes. We were then ordered to fill the room with 
light, which was done, and we found in the glass 
a little over a gill of liquid of the color of pale brandy 
and as heavy as castor oil, and of a sharp, pungent 
smell, peculiar and undesirable, with a biting taste 
like potash or alkali. 

The spirit then said : " Give sick squaw six big 
drops at sun up and sun down, and when medicine 
gone, me come and make more." Our circle was then 
over. 

Sister S. took the medicine as directed, and soon 
began to mend. 

The reader will bear in mind that the medical fac- 
ulty had given this woman up as incurable. She had 
been confined to her room, and had to be brought 
down by her friends to attend the circle. Ten days 
subsequently, we met her on the street in her carriage, 
and on shaking hands with her, she exclaimed, " Broth- 



SPIRITS SHAKING HANDS. 15 

er, is it not wonderful — this spirit power, and what 
they have done for me ?" Her countenance changed, 
and in a sorrowful tone, she said, " Do you know, 
brother, that my friends are opposed to my using this 
medicine, saying that they fear that it was from the 
Devil?" 

Later a portion of this medicine was submitted to a 
chemist for analysis, and found to contain the com- 
mon properties of water ; after which the friends of 
the lady withheld the medicine, refusing to let her 
take it. She failed rapidly, and soon was unable to be 
about. 

Late in December we called on her, and found her 
very low, when she told us, under marked excitement, 
" They declared that the medicine was the work of the 
Devil, and took it away." 

We went to her mother and brother, demanding 
to know what had been done with the spirit medicine. 
The mother replied, " We have submitted the medi- 
cine to able doctors and to our minister, and concluded 
not to give Charlotte anything that we do not know 
what its composition is, and to be frank with you. 
sir, we think the medicine was made by the Devil, 
and are afraid that it will cost her her soul. Our 
minister thinks it wrong to take the medicine." 

Shortly afterward we made a tour through the West, 
expecting to be gone two or three months. The even- 
ing before we left, we called on our sick sister, and 
she promised us faithfully that if she passed away 
before our return, that she would come to us and let 
us know of the fact. 



16 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

On the 30th of December, 1854, we left for Cincin- 
nati, Chicago and other "Western cities, returning 
February 27th, 1855. Our first call was upon our 
sick sister, Charlotte Stewart. We found her alive, 
not able to speak aloud — only in a whisper — or to 
raise her hand to her head. She told us that the 
angels were witli her continually and that she could 
hear them talk and see them. We asked her if she 
was afraid to go into the unknown land ? 

"No fear whatever, there is no death," she replied. 

Again we asked her, " Do you remember your prom- 
ise to us last December ?" 

Her countenance glowing with celestial light, she 
said, pressing our hand, " I do, and I shall keep my 
promise." 

Thus things continued for several days. One after- 
noon, in March, we called on her and found her as she 
had been for several days past, gradually failing, with 
the prospect for the next ten days as it had been for 
the past ten days. As we were taking our leave, 
we felt a gentle pressure of the hand. We held our 
ear close to her lips and heard her say, " I shall keep 
my promise," and then we left for our home. 

On that evening, we had a good deal of writing to 
do, and continued at it until late into the night. In 
the evening, at a late hour, we heard raps on our desk, 
faint but distinct. We listened, and they were re- 
peated. We then asked, "Are these raps made by a 
spirit?" 

" Yes." 

" A relative of ours?" 



SPIRITS SHAKING HANDS. IT 

"No." 

-A friend?" 

" Yes." 

" "Were we well acquainted with you ?" 

"Yes." 

u Will you rap how many years you have been dead?" 

"Yes." 

"How many?" 

No raps. 

" Have you been in the Spirit World a year?" 

"No." 

" Six months ?" 

"No." 

"One month?" 

"No." 

" One week?" 

"No." 

"One day?" 

"No." 

"Twelve hours?" 

"No." 

" One hour." 

"No." 

We took out our watch and found that it was ten 
o'clock and fifteen minutes. We then said, " We do 
not believe you. We have no friend that has died to- 
day." 

Loud and continuous raps was the rejoinder. 

We asked the spirit to rap out the exact time of 
death; and then was rapped out 9.15 p. m. 

" What," we replied, "you died this evening at 9.15?" 
2 



18 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"Yes." 

" And was our friend and acquaintance?" 

" Yes." 

" Well, spirit, we do not believe you, and as we are 
anxious to complete the writing before us, we will be 
obliged if you will leave us." 

At this request there seemed to be a mournful pause 
and then a few solemn raj3S as if the power was dis- 
appointed, after which all was still. 

On and on we wrote until late into the night, and 
when we were done, we arose and started for bed. 
The raps came again, passed through the house with 
us to our room. We questioned them a little more, 
but with no satisfactory result, and retired. 

After we were in bed, the raps came clear and dis- 
tinct upon the head board of the bed> We again 
questioned, asking for the first time, "Is it the spirit 
of a woman?" 

" Yes, yes," came in quick response. 

At that moment, we for the first time thought of 
Charlotte Stewart, and following the thought came a 
shower of raps. We then asked, " Is this our friend 
and sister Charlotte Stewart?" and in response there 
was a perfect fusilade of raps. 

I startled, lost in wonder, for we were young in the 
knowledge of Spiritualism ; we were silent, and the 
raps continued. We then laid our right arm and hand 
on the outside of the bed, and as we did so, we said, 
" If this is the immortal part or spirit of our sister and 
friend Charlotte Stewart, take our hand and shake it." 

Instantly our hand was taken by two hands in a 



OUR POSITION ON REFORM. 19 

gentle but firm manner, and was clearly and distinctly 
shaken. 

Reader, we cannot describe our feelings. Suffice it 
to say that we were out of bed instantly, and slept 
none that night. Early in the morning we called 
at our friend's house and was informed that Char- 
lotte Stewart had taken her departure at nine, the 
evening before, for her Spirit Home ; was with us at 
ten and a quarter, and a little before, and again at 
three in the morning, thus keeping her promise. 

Are we not surrounded by ministering spirits? 



OUR POSITION ON REFORM QUESTIONS. 

We are for reform, consequently intend to continue 
to be a thorough reformer through this life, and in the 
other life, too, so long as we have the power to think. 

We are in favor of universal suffrage without dis- 
tinction of color or sex, based on educational qualifi- 
cation. " If we were President of these United States," 
we would, in a special message, advise Congress to 
legislate on this subject as follows : 

First — That in 1880, November election, every 
person above eighteen years of age, out of jail, who 
could read understandingly, and write their name leg- 
ibly, should be entitled to the right of suffrage with- 
out reference to sex or color, for within three years, 
every person in the United States can learn to read 
and write. 

Second — Thereafter, no person or persons should 
vote or exercise the divine right of suffrage, who could 



20 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

not converse in English sufficiently well, to be under- 
stood in the common-place affairs of life. 

Third — Brain intelligence, not property, should be 
the true standard of suffrage. 

Fourth — All officers should be elected by the peo- 
ple at regular annual elections held for that purpose — 
from the President to the post-master, including the 
judges of every court in the land. In fact, every civil 
office, or office of trust, should be elected by a majority 
vote of the lawful voters in the district, where such 
an office may be required. 

Fifth — The abrogation of the Electoral College 
and Grand Jury are necessary for the well-being of 
the Republic, and the prosperity of true Republican 
principles. Let the people elect every officer in the 
Union, by a fair majority vote. 

Sixth — In every case of jury-trials, a majority vote 
should determine the case, whether civil or criminal. 

Seventh — In every case where woman is on trial 
for life or liberty, let her elect to be tried before a 
court whose judge and jury are women. Let her 
have a woman to plead her case, and if imprisoned, 
let the wardens of the prison be women. 

Eighth — Make woman eligible to any office in the 
gift of the .people. Let her occupy the holy place of 
office from the President to the post-master. If Eng- 
land is proud of her Victoria and Queen, and justly so, 
why not America be proud of Mrs. President. Mrs. 
Livermore is better qualified to be President of the 
United States than Logan, Blaine, Morton, Thurman 
or Tilden ; and Mrs. E. Cady Stanton would make 
a better senator than Chandler or Harlan. 



WHO AM I? WHAT AM I? 81 

These statements will place us before the people on 
our record, and we " intend to light it out on this line," 
if it takes us our natural life time. 

Freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of 
the press, and the right to worship God after the dic- 
tates of the soul in its individual nature, is the just 
fruit of Republican principles. 

Let us have freedom to do the right — not license 
to do the wrong. 

We recognize no law as obligatory and binding on 
us that deprives our sister woman of privileges that 
we enjoy. Then let us have universal suffrage. 

WHO AM I ? WHAT AM I ? WHERE AM I ? WHERE 
BO I LIVE ? AND, WHERE AM I GOING ? 

Questions enough for one Chapter, is it not, dear read- 
ers? Who am I? Well then, we are not a myth, but 
a real fact, — real and tangible, fifty-eight years old 
March, 1876, three and a quarter o'clock, a. m. 16th 
day, according to the best of our memory ; and weigh 
two hundred and fifty pounds. 

A Pennimite writes to us asking, " If we are a 
myth?" By no means, " If the court knows herself, 
and she thinks she does," we are not a myth, but a 
solid fact, and think we demonstrated that to the full 
satisfaction of the aforesaid Pennimite at Farmington, 
Ohio. 

What am I? The church says that we are the Devil. 
Ministers teach it, and thousands believe it, and we 
have been told to our face that we had a devil. Well, 
one day when we were alone, we felt a little queerish 



22 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

like, having been told a little while before that we 
were possessed of the evil one; so we thought we 
would look into the matter a little, and put our senses 
into use. 

First — "We smelt of ourself, and were actually 
alarmed, for we smelt sulphur; but when we began 
to reflect, we remembered that the day before in riding 
from Buffalo to Rochester, we sat in the same seat 
with a minister, thus accounting for the smell. We 
felt relieved. 

Second — We carefully felt of every part of our 
body, found no extraordinary heat, and we were pleased. 

Third — We pulled off our boots and examined our 
feet carefully, and after using our senses according to 
the best of our ability, we came to the conclusion that 
we were not a devil. 

A friend or foe writes us : " Long may you live, 
brother, for you are the Jesus of this age." This we 
emphatically deny. We are simply what we are, and 
no more. We claim no leadership; make no promises, 
and never fail. 

Where am I ? This is readily answered. We are 
here to-day, was there yesterday, and will be yonder 
to-morrow. We are lecturing, teaching and writing 
all the time; no idle moments for us. We do not beg 
for places, are well paid, well treated, and have no 
occasion to abuse or misrepresent committees, socie- 
ties, or speakers. 

Where are we going? This is the question of all 
questions, and who can answer it? Not the Theolo- 
gians, for they frankly say they do not know; only 



WHY I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN. 23 

believe. Not the Materialists, for they deny a future 
existence. " You are going to the devil," is dinned 
into our ears continually, and is devoutly prayed for. 

We are anything but an angel in the minds and 
thoughts of some; and by others we are damned; 
hence, taking it altogether, it is a little mixed. One 
thing, however, is clear to us ; we prefer to go with 
the multitude, whether they go to hell or heaven, for 
from the Theologian's stand-point, the devil gets the 
wholesale trade, and God gets the retail custom of 
this world, and as we have always taken first-class seats 
and paid full fare, we expect to go with the multitude. 
But candidly, in the hearts of the people, we have an 
abiding place, and that place is sacred to us. We 
know our friends and love them, and hate not our en- 
emies. We love those that despitefully use us, and 
we can say with Jesus : " Father, forgive them, for 
they know not what they do." 

We are opposed to settled speakers and all other 
fossil conditions, and mean to do the right. 

We live at home a portion of the year with Mary 
and her pets, and the balance of the time, we are on 
the wing. 

Thus we answer a few of the many questions asked 
us. In the future we shall answer other questions 
nof quite so personal. 

WHY AM I NOT A CHRISTIAN f 
First — Because the churches do not agree among 
themselves in regard to the future. 

U A house divided against itself cannot stand." 



24 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Second — Because they bow before images, and 
Deify a man, and follow not the teachings of their 
Deified man in their fellowship one with the other. 

"Thon shalt have no other God before me." 

Third — Because they teach of heaven and the 
mercy of God, and his power to save, and yet the 
Christian world concede the tremendous truth that 
their God is not able to cope with the Devil, and that 
the Devil gets the great majority of mankind, and 
their God gets but a miserable minority of His own 
created works. 

"And God saw everything that he had made, and 
behold it was good." 

Fourth — Because Christians have no tangible idea 
of heaven or the condition of man after he is in 
eternity. 

" In my Father's house are many mansions ; if it 
were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare 
a place for you, that where I am ye may come also/' 

Fifth — Because they preach of God as a God of 
love and yet declare Him to be angry with the wicked 
and full of revenge. 

" God so loved the world that he gave His only be- 
gotton Son to save it." 

Sixth — Because they have no charity, and exercise 
not mercy, having no peace among themselves. 

"For his mercy endnreth for ever." 

Seventh — Because they teach man, that morality 
and reason are the very worst enemies man's soul can 
encounter, and that man can only be saved by faith 
in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. 



WHAT THE SPIRITS TELL ME. 25 

"Faith without works is nothing." "Work out 
thine own salvation." 

Eighth — Because the church and Christianity are at 
loggerheads with science, and have denounced every 
progressive idea that has come before the world. 

WHAT THE SPIRITS TELL ME. 

"My Brother. Think seven times before writing 
once, and when you write let your room be cool, your 
dinner light, and your feet warm." 

" When you blame your brother, or find fault with 
him, be sure you are not to blame yourself." 

" Never speak evil of a woman, for she is the de- 
pendent being under your laws, and while you make the 
laws for her, you have no right to find fault with her 
conduct, for in so doing you find fault with yourself." 

"Be just in all things and you will be just to your- 
self." 

"There is something to do in the Summer Land ; 
hence, something needed to wear and food to eat." 

" The ornaments and associations of your home in 
the Summer Land you will take with you from this 
life, then be careful and freight your bark with the 
true and the good of this life." 

" There are family circles, social reunions and social 
relations in the Spirit World. Matehood depends 
upon the Divine law of affinities; hence there is no 
marriage, or giving in marriage in the Spirit World." 

"You will understand yourself and others in the 
Spirit Land, not alone from speech but by intuition. 
You will not be always a resident in one sphere; you 
mav live in many." 



CHAPTEK II. 

E. V. Wilson at Morrison, 111. — Remarkable Revelations — Inter- 
view with Cropps, the murderer; His Claims — A Talk with 
Spirits — J. Antis, M. D. ; L. Grasmuck; John Mayhew, and 
others. 

E. V. WILSON IN MORRISON, ILL. 

Below we give the crude report of our seance in 
Morrison, clipped from the Reform Investigator. The 
editor is a live man, a brick, and knows how to pub- 
lish a newspaper. "We like him, and all he lacks is 
a thorough knowledge of Spiritualism. Come out. 
Brother, and make friends with us, " for the children 
of this world in their generation are wiser than the 
children of light." 

" E. Y. Wilson, of Chicago, has been giving a series 
of lectures and tests on Spiritualism, at Concert Hall, 
during the past week. As a speaker Mr. Wilson is 
logical and convincing, as a test medium he is hardly 
surpassed by any 'humbug,' from Balaam, who, 'fall- 
ing into a trance, yet having his eyes open, saw a vis- 
ion and heard the words of God,' to Simon Magus 
who would 'pay in coin,' for the 'right' of medium- 
ship. We could, if we deemed it expedient, offer 
quite as convincing proofs of the existence of spirit- 
ual communications as Mr. Wilson himself; but, com- 

(26) 



SEANCE IN MORRISON, ILL. 27 

prehending as we do. the prejudices and illiberal spirit 
of 'sound divines,- and good Christian people, and 
the skepticism of the age, we are content to wait for 
conservatism to break its shell by the slow process of 
' hatching, ' and come out a full grown chick. One 
thing, however, we do not hesitate to assert — that the 
individual who believes the teachings of the Bible, and 
yet rejects Spiritualism, is either ignorant of one or 
the other, or else he is ' no philosopher at all.' 

" The key to the interpretation of the Bible is Spirit- 
ualism. It is the attempt to marry the Orthodoxy of 
the nineteenth century to the angel that came down 
from heaven, at whose 'presence the earth was light- 
ened,' and to reconcile creeds and dogmas to the teach- 
ings of the inspired Word, that makes such logical 
minds as Henry Ward Beecher Christian in name 
and Infidel in belief. They tell us that Modern Spirit- 
ualism is of the devil. We have never doubted the 
agency of the devil in mixing up in the affairs of man- 
kind and ' crowding in,' among good company, from 
the day he seduced Eve to the time when he tempted 
Christ, by offering him all the kingdoms of the world 
to fall down and worship. Had he succeeded we 
should not now be staring poverty in the face by ad- 
vocating financial, social and political reform in a de- 
moralized government. The devil is in Modern Spir- 
itualism, as well as in the Christian churches, and 
what we are working for is to get him kicked out. 
There was One the devil could not buy with money — 
let us, whether Spiritualists or Orthodox Christians, 
follow him." 



28 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

HEM ARK ABLE REVELATIONS — INTERVIEW WITH 

CROPPS, THE MURDERER. HE CLAIMS TO HAVE 

BEEN ENGAGED IN FIVE MURDERS. 

A large audience assembled at the Calvert Assembly 
Rooms, corner of Saratoga and Calvert streets, Bal- 
timore, for the purpose of listening to the arguments 
of Mr. Wilson, the celebrated Spiritualist of Chicago, 
in defense of Spiritualism. His defense of the theory 
of Spiritualism was taken from the New Testament, 
and if his deductions did not fully satisfy those pres- 
ent, they went a great way in shaking the belief that 
Spiritualism is not a myth, but a peculiar some- 
thing, which cannot be clearly understood by all 
persons. His arguments indicated that he has been 
a profound student of theology, his Biblical quota- 
tions and knowledge of the different forms of religion 
being voluminous and unlimited. 

But the feature of the evening was his reading of 
character, what persons had experienced in their early 
days, what their ailments were, and other matters, 
were truly remarkable, and created at times consider- 
able excitement. The first subject magnetized by Mr. 
Wilson, was Mr. Crosby of this city, the magnetic 
influence being obtained by the lecturer extending his 
left hand, into which was laid the right hand of Mr. 
Crosby, that is,, all of the hand with the exception of 
the thumb. The two hands remained passive for 
about two seconds, when connection was broken, and 
Mr. Wilson proceeded to analyze the character, feel- 
ings and antecedents of his subject. He was informed 
what portions of his features resembled his mother, 



REMARKABLE REVELATIONS. 29 

and what portions resembled his father, the disposi- 
tions of the parents and the disposition of the subject, 
all of which Mr. Crosby pronounced correct. Mr. 
Wilson also informed Mr. C. that there was standing 
by his side a large man, weighing probably two hun- 
dred and sixty pounds, a lawyer by profession, who 
deceased fifteen years ago. Mr. C. declared with as- 
tonishment that such a friend had died precisely fifteen 
years ago, and when a gentleman in the audience veri- 
fied this assertion, the people began to talk among 
themselves, and wonder what kind of a man Mr. 
Wilson was. 

The next subject was a lady. She was informed that 
she had strong characteristics; she could be coaxed 
but not driven, and that if her husband attempted to 
rule her there would be a merry row in the house. 
The husband, who was a portly gentleman, greatly to 
the astonishment of all present, replied, "That's so!" 
The lady was told that two years since, she had a quar- 
rel with a lady friend, and that she professed to be a 
friend, but in reality she was an enemy. The subject 
admitted the truthfulness of all that Mr. Wilson had 
said, with the exception of the false friend, but when 
Mr. W. replied that the quarrel originated at a pic-nic, 
the lady instantly remembered the circumstance, de- 
clared it correct, and voted the lecturer a seer. 

The next subject was also a lady. She was informed 
that she had a peculiar fluttering at times about the 
heart; that it greatly annoyed her, and that she was 
compelled at times to sit up in bed in order to rid her- 
self of the violent thumping; that about four years 



30 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ago a pain suddenly made its appearance under the 
right shoulder and has taken up its abode under the 
lung. The lady was asked if the symptoms had been 
correctly portrayed, and she replied, " Correct." 

At this stage of the proceedings, Mr. Wilson stated 
to the audience that, while walking upon the streets 
yesterday, he was approached by the spirit of a demon 
bearing the semblance of a man. The man said that 
he had been hanged eleven years ago, in this city, for 
murder, and that he had been implicated in five mur- 
ders, and on two different occasions had assisted in 
attempting to destroy the city by fire. The spirit said 
that on one occasion, with the assistance of one Pat- 
rick Burke, he robbed and murdered a man twenty 
miles east of Baltimore; that fourteen years ago he 
assisted in killing and robbing a stranger and throw- 
ing the body into one of the wharves on Pratt street. 
This restive spirit stated that his last victim when en- 
countered was in his shirt sleeves, and that he was 
stabbed in the side ; that he was a resident of Phila- 
delphia, and was on his way home from Washington 
when he encountered the murderers on Pratt street. 
Mr. Wilson described the sanguinary man of blood 
as a stout man, low forehead, bristling hair, high cheek 
and jaw bones, massive shoulders, showed his teeth 
when laughing, muscles of iron, ponderous fists, and 
a pugilist of some note. When Mr. Wilson had ceased 
giving these outlines, voices from all parts of the hall 
ejaculated, "That's Cropps, who killed policeman 
Benton." The lecturer concluded with this spirit by 
saying that the spirit before leaving, remarked : 



A TALK WITH SPIRITS. 31 

" Tell the people at your lecture to-night that for 
five years I led the Plug Uglies." — Baltimore Amer- 
ican, 1870. 



A TALK WITH SPIRITS. 

E. Y. Wilson, an Illinoisan, who has for several 
weeks been lecturing before the Spiritualistic Associa- 
tion of this city, concluded his labors in Lyceum Hall 
last evening. His subject was the Law of Influence, 
or Magnetism. We have neither time nor space, to 
give an extended report of his discourse, which was 
rather discursive, as well as original. In a strange 
way he would stop in his lecture, saying occasionally 
that the spirits were troubling him. One of these 
said his name was Willis ; that he sailed the schooner 
Wiltsie ; was wrecked off Madison dock at Cleveland, 
in 1836; that he sank with her; was found in the 
cabin dead; that some men took $800 out of her; that 
men in Ashtabula knew all about it. After the de- 
funct mariner had had his say through Mr. Wilson, 
the latter continued his lecture, describing persons 
likely to fall in love at first sight, or become converted 
at revival meetings. They generally had blue eyes, 
brown hair, small limbs, round plump forms, and range 
between fifteen and nineteen years of age. 

Lloyd Garrison was the man who wielded the great- 
est influence in this world. He brought about a four 
year's revival meeting (of blood), and converted a 
whole nation into Abolitionists. He was the greatest 
character in the tragedy of the American Revolution. 



32 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Mr. Wilson devoted considerable time to the delin- 
eation of the character of some of the ladies and gen- 
tlemen in the house. He claimed to have nothing to 
do with phrenology or physiognomy, but operated by 
means of a subtle fluidity pervading the material 
space. Out of about thirty persons only one had the 
hardihood to deny the description of the character. 
He told a Mrs. S. that her dead husband was present, 
and the lady wanted to know what he had to say. He 
says, answered the lecturer, " Tell my wife she's a fool 
to submit to all that she does — she is oppressed and 
down-trodden by a domineering man, who married 
more for money than woman." And the lady said 
that it was so. 

Another spirit-man acknowledged that he had cut 
his own throat in Buffalo, thirteen years ago. The 
offence was not forgotten, but the offender had been 
forgiven. Another, named Joe Waters, told a story 
about a number of Lake captains who years ago at a 
Commercial street saloon watered that their stomachs 
could not be turned. 

One spirit that had been hovering around for two 
nights, said he was murdered fifteen years ago, u and 
the man that murdered me was in this house last night, 
but is not here to-night. He is in the city. I shall 
not point him out to have him arrested, but I wish 
him to know that I am on his track ; and that is hell 
enough for any one man in life." 

This sensational announcement closed the lecture. 
— Buffalo Paper. 



E. V. WILSON, AT MORRIS, ILL. 33 

Morris, III. Dr. J". Antis writes: "Brother E. 
Y. Wilson has just concluded here a series of four 
lectures to large and appreciative audiences. They 
were handled with the skill of an expert and were 
gleanings from the great book of Nature. Fertile in 
thought and rich in expedients, he seems the right 
man in the right place. Holding his audience as by 
enchantment, while the deep and turbid waters of 
error and superstition, handed down through the vis- 
tas of the past are being filtered, cleared and made to 
respond to those rich effusions of thought based upon 
science, knowledge and truth. It is noteworthy that 
among his most attentive auditors, were the most de- 
veloped and matured minds; and that though cher- 
ished opinions and sacred ideas were handled without 
gloves, yet there loomed up before the mind of the 
enraptured auditor so clear an elucidation of the idea 
which was wont to be conveyed through the influence 
and power of science as revealed through the aid of 
powerful instruments and experiments, flanked with 
historical data and past reminiscences, that he seemed 
chained to his seat in breathless silence, drinking in 
largely and with gusto from that celestial fountain 
treasured up in the archives of our brother's exhaust- 
less mind. There were over one hundred public rec- 
ognized tests given, unmistakably and without reserve. 
Incidents and events with data in the lives of indi- 
viduals, were recognized and publicly acknowledged. 
It was a flow of spirit and feast of soul ! A love feast 
with the Angel World. The seed sown in Morris is 
taking root in good ground and will yield in abundance, 
3 



34 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

exemplified by the persistent demand for more of the 
same kind. It shall be gratified when the first shall 
have been properly digested. With those minds there 
will be no more hankering after the flesh pots of Egypt, 
but their aspirations and demands will be for more 
light."— July, 1870. 

Weston, Mo. L. Grasmuck writes : "According to 
promise, I write you to report the success of our meet- 
ing here last week. Brother E. Y. Wilson spoke to 
large and attentive audiences four evenings. The 
house was full, although we charged fifty cents admis- 
sion at the door. The result of his engagement here 
has been a complete stirring of the mental world among 
us — it is the subject of conversation in all places and 
on all occasions, and the bitter tirades of the clergy 
after he left, only add fuel to the fire he kindled. 
Some how the impression has got abroad that Brother 
Wilson is a good medium, but an eccentric speaker. 
Nothing could be farther from the truth. His power 
and eloquence are something truly wonderful, as admit- 
ted by all who heard him here. In his delineations 
of character, he was correct to a fault — never failed, 
but quite a number of incidents of the past in the 
lives of persons were not recognized at the time, while 
many have, upon mature reflection, brought them to 
mind afterward. Several of the descriptions of spirits 
were very startling, and were at once recognized. 
Two ministers of the Christian church were present 
and gave respectful attention, and have acted fairly 
with us, while others were too holy to attend, but not 



THE ANGELS CAME TO OUR HOUSE. 35 

too holy to misrepresent and abuse him when gone. 
The actions of one of our Methodist brothers on last 
Sunday showed that he was badly hurt — his fine church 
was almost empty, while Wilson had a full house. We 
were successful financially and have some money left. 
We want another good speaker at once. They will be 
welcome and have large audiences, for the people are 
hungry." — January 1, 1870. 



CHAPTER III. 

The Angels came to our house — A Beautiful and Affecting Test. 

THE ANGELS CAME TO OUM HOUSE. 

The angels came to our house, and mother went 
away with them, to their home in the Summer Land. 

On the morning of January 22, 1869, at nine 
o'clock, Lois Emerson, relict of the late William Em- 
erson, of Emerson Farm, Du Page county, Illinois, 
went away amid songs and joy with the angels to their 
home in the Spirit World. 

Our mother had suffered much for months before 
she left us; but knowing that her Redeemer was with 
her continually, she bore her trials with the patience 
of a true Spiritualist, and with a smile resting on her 



36 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

face, she left her normal body without a struggle, 
calmly and peacefully entering into her spiritual life. 
She passed over the river in company with those who 
had preceded her. On Thursday, the 21st, we noticed 
a change in her, and saw that she was pressed for 
breath, and Mary, her daughter, said, " Mother, I feel 
that you are to leave us." 

" Do you?" she said. 

" Yes, mother, I do, and have you any fears?" 

" No, no, why should I," she answered. 

She spoke this so calmly, and her words were so 
full of peace, and with a sweet smile on her face, she 
said, playfully, " Maybe I am not going now." 

Mary said, "Mother, you are, and what will I do?" 

She held her close to her and kissed her many times y 
saying, " Darling, darling child, why do you wish to 
keep me here to suffer? I am willing to go or stay. 
' JSTot my will, but thine be done,' " we heard her say 
many times. She thus continued sitting in her chair 
through the day. She often asked for spirit counsel 
and advice, and messages were sent her through Plan- 
chett and other ways. The angels spoke unto her 
words of comfort. Thus was she consoled, and thus 
encouraged. In her last hours she was made very 
happy. 

Late in the day, she said she would lay down once 
more, and did so. Her mind was clear, her voice full 
and strong, talking much with us, sending kindly 
words to all, and thus she continued through the night. 

A little while before she passed away, she asked to 
have her head turned to the West. This was done, 



THE ANGELS CAME TO OUR HOUSE. 37 

and the end was at hand. Mary then took her in her 
arms, and the angels told us to sing; and Mary, Sarah 
and Dora, daughter and grandaughters, with eyes 
filled with tears, sang the " Beautiful River," until she 
was over its waters. 

So peacefully she left us, we scarcely knew when 
the birth was completed. Mary continued to hold 
her, when Sarah said, " Mary, lay her down." 

" No," said Mary, " sing once more." 

We continued singing when mother's lips moved 
once. more as though trying to speak, and then were 
motionless. And our mother was an angel. 

No stranger's hands were allowed to touch her form. 
Mary, Sarah and Dora, dressed her for the last time. 
There was no noise, or confusion, for the angels were 
present, and they did not like noise and confusion. 

Sunday came, a bright and beautiful day, indicative 
of her cheerful nature, and beautiful spirit life. We 
placed her form in a beautiful casket, and the casket 
on two frames by the side of the piano, and those 
sweet singers, Mr. and Mrs. Hillis, of Elgin, and Mr. 
and Mrs. Spaulding, of Chicago, grandchildren of our 
mother, were the singers on this occasion. 

By her request, her old minister, Father McChes- 
ney, and the Eev. Mr. Tompkins, of the Union church, 
were called to officiate at her funeral. Mary called 
Mr. T. to her side, and handed him the selections for 
the singing, saying to him, "Mother wished us to 
meet at this time, not to mourn for her, but rather 
to make it a season of rejoicing over her birth into 
the Spirit World. She charged us over and over, not 



38 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

to niourn, but to rejoice that her sufferings were over." 
Mr. T. received the Spiritual songs, reading the first 
piece, " Our Mother," Spiritual Harp, 28th page, which 
was played and sung with masterly execution, and 
listened to with profound attention, for it was " Our 
Mother," and her favorite song. Mr. T. said, " I will 
read one more song as very appropriate on this occa- 
sion," and read with fine affect, from the " Spiritual 
Harp," u She crossed the Shining River," after which 
Mr. T. made a few remarks in regard to the sublime 
beauty of these songs and how appropriate they were 
on this occasion. 

Father McChesney made a short and beautiful 
prayer, after which the choir sang ''The Beautiful 
River," with great effect. Many were overcome by 
its gentle strains. 

Mr. T. then read a few choice selections from the 
burial service, after which he made some excellent 
remarks, speaking of her great love for her friends 
and enemies, of her pure life, her patience and resig- 
nation, enduring the greatest suffering without mur- 
muring, and that it had done him good through the 
two months preceding her departure for her future 
home. He called our attention to her wish that we 
should rejoice instead of mourn, and that to him, in 
view of her great suffering, it did seem meet to re- 
joice. He then referred to her joining the loved ones 
gone on before her, and of her anticipating meeting 
them, and that in his own opinion, there was not a 
doubt but she had met them, and that there were 
recognition of friends and relations in heaven. 



THE ANGELS CAME TO OUR HOUSE. 39 

The choir then sang, with fine effect, the song, 
" Shall we Know Each Other There," after which the 
congregation, which was large, passed by her, many 
weeping as they bid her loved face farewell, and then 
we kissed her good-bye. 

Then came her oldest friends and carried her ten- 
derly to the family burying ground, followed by her 
children, and grandchildren, and a long train of lov- 
ing friends, to the last resting place of her mortal 
remains; and, as they were lowered into the ground, 
the choir sang that grand old hymn, " There is Rest 
for the Weary." All was done in quiet — no confu- 
sion; harmony pervaded all, and all felt that it was a 
season of joy and not of sorrow. 

She has promised to come back, and she will, and 
will bless us from her spirit home with pearls of wis- 
dom and words of cheer. 

Dear mother, thy loved face is no more with us, 
but thy spirit is; and may we live as thou hast 
lived — a pure life — and in our last moments rest 
as thou resteth — fearless, firm, loving, cheerful, and 
willing to go hence — and then may we say with thee, 
" Thy will, not mine, be done." 

Mother was eighty-two years, ten months, and 
twenty-seven days old. She was born at Lynn, 
Mass., February 26, 1786. 

We thank thee, and bless thee, dear mother, and 
will remember thy loving words of counsel in thy last 
moments until we meet thee again, " Beyond the Roll- 
ing River." 

She has left a large circle of relatives and friends, 



40 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

who will rejoice in her great gain, and, in considera- 
tion of her great age and pure life, we do not mourn 
her going away from us, but we shall miss her very 
much. 



A BEAUTIFUL AND AFFECTING TEST. 

Just before our dear old mother passed away, last 
January, she called her daughter to her and said, 
" Mary, I want you to remain near my body until you 
are satisfied that I am free from it. Will you do so? " 

" Yes, dear mother; anything you wish me to do, I 
will do." 

Well, after mother had ceased breathing for hours, 
Mary remained in the room near her until late at 
night. Mary says: " I felt that my mother was near 
me, and then I heard her step, felt her breath on my 
cheek, and then I heard her say in a whisper, close to 
my ear, < Mary, open the door and let me out,' and I 
arose, went to the door, opened it wide; I felt her 
pass me, heard the whispered good-bye, and I knew 
then that mother had left the form, and was with 
father, once his bride, pure and unsullied; and I 
knew they were happy in their home in the Summer 
Land, and then I closed the door, locked it, and retired 
to rest. I had let dear mother go, after eighty-three 
years sojourn here, and now I know that she is happy, 
and with my father, her lover and husband. God 
is good." 

Thus spoke the wife and daughter to us on our 
return from our winter tour. 



THE GAMBLER AND THE SPIRITS, 41 

Mother is not dead, but an angel in Heaven, and 
the place where we laid the casket away we are orna- 
menting, and intend to make of the ground a beauti- 
ful flower garden, with a monument of roses, beneath 
which, by and by, we will lay away our forms, and our 
immortal part join those that have preceded us. 

Eemember us, dear ones, in your own beautiful 
homes. 



CHAPTER IY. 

THE GAMBLER AMD THE SPIRITS. 

The following dialogue occurred on the steamer 
Jasper, in December, 1868, on the Mississippi River, 
between St. Louis and Hannibal: 

Gambler. Gentlemen, now is your time to make a 
fortune. This game is authorized by act of Congress. 
Five hundred dollars for one, and the lowest you can 
win in this game is two for one. 

Minister. Gentlemen, do you know that you are 
offending against God in this gambling operation you 
are now engaged in, and that at each throw of the dice 
you are mortgaging your souls to the devil? 

Gambler. Are you sure of this fact, Mr. Minister? 

Min. Yes; so sure that I have taken the respon- 



42 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

sibility to admonish you of your error, and now tell 
you, in the name of my Savior, that your calling leads 
to death here and hereafter. 

Second Gam. My dear sir, if your Savior is 
offended, and you are in danger, you have our per- 
mission to retire to the ladies' cabin, where you will 
find company more agreeable to your taste than the 
gaming table. 

Min. But, my dear sir, it is my business and my 
duty, as a minister of the living God, to enter my 
protest against your gambling here in this public 
manner. 

Gam. Why do you sanction church rafnes, cake 
lotteries, and Paschal House schemes, or Chicago 
Opera House enterprises; for, to my certain knowl- 
edge, the ministers of our churches invested some 
thousands of dollars in these gambling schemes, and 

if I mistake not, your name is D , of W , and 

you ordered live tickets in the Paschal House scheme. 
Am I correct % 

Min. (With confusion.) I believe I was over-per- 
suaded, and invested in that affair, but — 

Second Gam,. Permit me, my dear sir, to over- 
persuade you again. Put down your money and win 
your pile. 

First Gam. And permit me to say that this is as 
fair a game as any lottery in America, and as honest 
as Methodist Drew's, of New York, in his stock gam- 
bling to the extent of a national panic, and far more 
reputable. For while our scheme will, at the most, 
ruin but a few, his will ruin thousands, not only men, 



THE GAMBLER AND THE SPIRITS. 43 

but their families. And dare you open your head to 
him? Not a bit of it. You and your churches hold 
your peace, and accept an hundred or more dollars, 
with a <; thank you, sir," and "may the Lord prosper 
you, sir." 

Min. That does not justify your gambling here 
in a public saloon, where all have rights in common. 

Spiritualist. (Modestly.) May I ask, Mr. Minis- 
ter, if it was just for you to buy tickets in the Pas- 
chal House enterprise, or to sanction a cake raffle, or 
lottery for missionary purposes? May not this throw- 
ing of the dice be justified, on the ground that these 
men pay fifty per cent, of their winnings into the 
coffers of the church ? 

Min. Sir, are you an advocate of the gamblers' 
profession? 

Spirit. It does not follow that I advocate gam- 
bling, but that I am criticising your engaging in it, 
as you evidently have on your own confession, of the 
purchase of lottery tickets. 

Second Gam. Good for you, old man! Take a 
chance? 

Spirit. Yes; but before I do so, let me ask you a 
question. Would you advise a young man, who was 
the only support of a widowed mother and two orphan 
children, to risk that w T hich they depended on for their 
winter's support, when you know that the chances 
are ninety in every hundred against him ? 

Second Gam,. No ; I would not. You have asked 
a square question, and I give you a square answer. 

Spirit. I like that ; and now I am going to put a 



44 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

second square question ; it is this : Have you won 
from this youngster one hundred and ten dollars this 
evening? 

First Gam. Well, what of it, old man ? Is it any 
of your business? "We risked our money for his, and 
would have paid it if we had lost. 

Spirit. I grant all that, and I am not finding 
fault. I have an object in view, and expect to make 
fi.ve points in the game I am playing; and I tell you 
frankly that I intend to use you two gamblers as my 
right and left bowers, and the minister here will be 
my counter. 

Mm. If you please, sir (freezingly), do not mix 
my name up in your gambling operations. 

Spirit. Why not ? You opened the game, and I 
am following your lead: Am I right, gamblers? 

Gam. That is according to euchre. Follow suit 
when you have it. 

Min. Sir, you are taking liberties with me. I 
cannot allow it. 

Spirit. True, sir; but you took liberties with these 
gentlemen, and why may I not take liberties with you? 
Are we not all sinners together? We are all gam- 
bling ; you and I for souls, these men for greenbacks. 

First Gam. But, my friend, you are losing sight 
of this game in which we are to play the parts of 
right and left bowers. What are you going to lead off 
with? 

Spirit. I shall lead this young man as my first 
card, you having won from him one hundred and ten 
dollars. Mr. D., you are a minister of God, and 



THE GAMBLER AND THE SPIRITS. 45 

ought to be well posted in his affairs, tell us this 
young man's history. 

Young Man. (Sharply.) By what right do you 
interfere in my affairs? 

Min. And why do you call on me to read his his- 
tory? Am I his keeper? 

First Gam. I say, old fellow, are you not getting 
your hands full? 

Spirit. Yes; and I am going to play trumps soon, 
and call the game. Now, Mr. D., you stated, a little 
while ago, that you were a minister, and, as such, had 
a right to call these men to an account, and, as God's 
minister, you ought to know more than those around 
us, hence I call on you to lead a winning card and end 
this game. 

Min. (In temper.) I deny your right to use my 
name, or call my holy profession in question, and 
shall not permit you to do so any more. 

Spirit. Then I shall play trumps, and this young 
man is the card I shall play. 

Y. Man. Again, sir, I ask, by what authority do 
you call me in question? 

Spirit. By the authority of your father, now a 
spirit, who left you in charge of his wife and two little 
daughters — your mother and sisters. You are now 
returning to them penniless. What was to have sup- 
ported them through the winter you lost, and you 
'have only five dollars left out of your long voyage 
from the pinery. How will you account to them 
when they ask you for the things you were to bring 
them when you returned? Am I right, my young 



46 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

friend? Answer me, on your soul's truth; I com- 
mand you to answer! 

Y. Man. (Weeping.) Yes. Father, forgive me, 
and I will sin no more. 

Min. (Excitedly.) In heaven's name, who are 
you? 

Spirit. One crying in the midst of the churches. 
Repent, ye ministers and Christians, and make ready 
for the great day of the Lord. " For we came to our 
own, and they knew us not." 

Gam. Look here, young man; is this true? 

Y. Man. (Sobbing convulsively.) Yes ! Oh, 
mother! mother! what shall I do? 

Spirit. And now, my friends, the spirit father of 
this young man asks you to refund the money you 
have won of him to-night; and, in addition to his 
request, the spirit of Mary, the one you loved best on 
earth (and when in the earth life her word was law to 
you), asks you to keep your promise, and grant the 
first request her pure spirit makes from her spirit 
home. 

First Gam. (Speaking sadly, while his fine blue 
eyes were overflowing with tears.) Yes, Mary mine, 
I will, for thy pure soul ever sought to bless me. 
Here, young man, here is your money; take it, go 
home, and when you see your mother and little sisters, 
tell them all, all that has taken place; and, Mary dear, 
remember me in your angel home. 

Min. Amen ! Bless the Lord ! 

Sj)irit. Work out thine own salvation, young man; 



THE GAMBLER AND THE SPIRITS. 4:7 

be wise hereafter, and never gamble again. And you, 
Mr. D., minister, try the spirits, and all will be well. 

Min. I don't believe in your spirits; they are of 
the devil. 

Second Gam. Well, we do; and they have done 
what you could not — made us pay over one hundred 
and ten dollars. 

Y. Man. (Sadly.) I thank you all, and mother 
will pray for you. 

Tableau. Young man weeping, and counting his 
money. Gamblers packing up. Passengers grouped 
around us, many of them weeping. Ladies crying, 
and some of them asking the angels to watch over 
their sons. 

Colored Waiter. Dat am ob de Lord, shuah. 

A Lady. (Taking me by the hand, and saying.) 
Will you let a mother thank you, sir, for now I know 
that there is a hereafter? 

Old Farmer. (Excitedly, to minister.) You don't 
believe in spirits, do you? Kin you do this? and if 
you can, why don't you? I say, old feller, you come 
to my house, will you ? and you may stay jest as long 
as yer a mind to. 

Spirit. Bless the Lord, James; my bowers have 
told, my counter has done well, and I have won the 
game. 

And there was no more gambling that night. 



CHAPTEK Y. 

A SEANCE AND ITS RESULTS, AT HANNIBAL, MO., 
DECEMBER, 1868. 

Yesterday morning I met my friend, Colonel L., 
and, after the compliments of the morning were over, 
he said to me : 

" Brother, where are you going, and what are you 
going to do with yourself to-day?" 

My reply was, that I had business that would occupy 
my attention most of the day, but shall be at liberty 
this evening for a social chat with you. 

" I am glad to hear that ; and we will be pleased to 
see you at our rooms, at the National. Come early." 

So the day passed off, and at 7:06 I found myself 
at the National, with my friend, the Colonel, and his 
excellent lady. After the salutations were over, the 
Colonel said to me : 

" B., E. Y. Wilson, the spirit lecturer and reader of 
character, gives a seance at the Court House this 
evening ; would you like to go?" 

Well, Colonel, to be plain with you, I do not take 
any stock in Spiritualism, and I do not believe that 
there is a spirit medium in the world who can give a 
square test to a perfect stranger, unless posted before 
hand. 

"Are you not a little prejudiced, Mr. B.?" said the 
Colonel's lady. 

(48) 



A SEANCE AND ITS RESULTS. 49 

"I may be, and yet am willing to own that I wish 
Spiritualism was true." 

So we determined to go; and others in the parlors of 
the hotel were infected by our conclusions, and joined 
us. On reaching the Court House, we found at the 
door a pleasant-looking man, ready to take our 
quarters. 

"Ah," said I, "sir medium, you have an eye to the 
finances of our mortal life as well as to the joys of 
our spirit world." 

"I am not the medium," said the door-keeper, in a 
very pleasant voice. "And Mr. Wilson said to me: 
' Let the poor in without pay.' Will you walk in? " 

" No, no, I thank you; I am not a beggar." So I 
paid my quarter and went in. 

After being seated, with about one hundred others, 
I cast my eyes about for our medium, expecting to 
see a sallow, gaunt, long-haired, spectral-looking sort 
of Grab ami te, but saw no one that answered my ex- 
pectation. After a little, to my very great astonish- 
ment, the one of all others I had taken not to be the 
medium came forward, in a very off-handed manner, 
and said, in a pleasant, full voice: 

" When I was a little boy, an old friend said to me, 
' My boy, learn to know yourself, and you will be 
qualified to know others ; study man more, and God 
less, and you will know more of earth, and heaven, 
and the inhabitants thereof, than by studying God 
alone.' And, my friends, I have followed that advice. 
And now, with the help of my spirit friends, I pro- 
pose to take a walk with you through the past. I do 
4 



50 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

not ask you to favor me, but to shut me out entirely; 
close up the door of thought, and seal up your mem- 
ory; make yourselves as positive to me as you can. 
Do n't accept a thing unless it is true, for I shall tell 
you facts from the book of your lives, and prove it by 
you." 

At this, he turned sharply to a man by my side, 
and said : 

" Thirteen years ago, you were walking in a city 
many miles from here. It was ten o'clock at night. 
You were in an unpleasant mood, for you had bitter 
words with those you did not like. You were nearing 
a corner, on the shady side of the street, when a man 
sprang from a hiding-place and struck at you with a 
dagger. His blow missed its aim. You escaped, but 
the man is dead. He was a Frenchman." 

"My God!" exclaimed the stranger, "how do you 
know this? For it is true; and I know the man is 
dead." 

" Yes," said the seer, " he is dead; and tells me other 
things." 

Turning to the right, he went half way across the 
room, and, pointed to a young man, said : 

" I see you in the early winter, with others, on the 
ice. It is in a city. The ice is thin, gives way, and 
there are five of you in the water. You were then 
fourteen years old. One was drowned ; he is here, 
and tells me this. Is it true?" 

"Yes; every word," replied the young man. "I 
was fourteen, and it was in Chicago." 

" Thank you," said the seer. " I wish all would 



A SEANCE AND ITS RESULTS. 51 

answer ' yes/ or ' no,' for I want to occupy all the time 
myself." 

Wheeling right about, he pointed out a fine-looking 
old man, and said : 

" There is with this man a First Lieutenant of the 
Confederate Army, and says, ' This man is a friend of 
my dear mother, and knew me well ; go and tell her that 
her son still lives — is now an immortal — and has not 
forgotten the loved ones of this earth life." 

The seer then described him minutely, and looking 
straight at the old man, said: " You know him?" 
With a faltering voice, the old man said-: " Yes, I do; 
and will tell his heart-stricken mother." 

Walking through the house, to another man, he 
said : 

" Fifteen years ago, you and three others entered 
into a business operation involving time, distance, 
money, and application. You lost by the operation, 
and had to step out." He then described the leader 
of the party. "Yes, or no?" "Yes," answered the 
man. 

Going to another part of the house, he pointed out 
a lady, and said : 

" There is a bright-eyed little girl of four summers 
with you. She went to the Summer Land nine years 
ago last summer. She holds up to you a rose-stem — 
two 'unfolded roses, and one bud on the stem. She 
says you laid them on her little bosom when they put 
her into the coffin. And she says: ' Mamma, don't 
cry, for I am very happy.' " 

"My child! my child!" cried the mother, excitedly. 



52 THE TEUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Again the seer turned around, and, pointing to a 
woman, said : 

"Seven years ago, the storm whistled around you, 
and darkness — thick and opaque — enveloped you; 
and one left you — he is now in the spirit land. You 
last heard from him four years ago this fall. Yes, 
or nor' 

" Yes," said the woman, with tears in her eyes. 

Crossing the room to as healthy a looking lady as 
any in the house, and one of our company, he said : 

" This lady has a sore and tender spot here, on the 
left side, between the heart and skin, caused by expo- 
sure and hurt, three years ago this spring." 

"True," said the lady; "and I feel it to-night." 

Turning to a very pleasant, mild-looking woman, 
he said : 

" Ordinarily, this woman is good-natured and well- 
disposed, but there is kill in her, and, when angered, 
she is phrensied and dangerous." 

Those who knew her affirmed it to be true. 

Then he continued to give test after test, until he 
had given fifty-six. Then, pausing for a second, he 
said : 

" Ladies and gentlemen : I have kept you here two 
hours, and have given fifty-six tests; fifty- three of 
them have been identified; and I will now close by 
giving you a startling test : 

"There is in the room a spirit ; he is about the size 
of this man, light complexion, arid, when in health, 
fnll-fleshed and fair; he was buried yesterday. He 
says: 'Tell my wife that it is best that I passed 



A SEANCE AND ITS RESULTS. 53 

away, both for her and myself. For the last nine 
years, I have been of no help to her, and now am at 
ease. Tell her that, for nine years, my palsied form 
has been but a dead weight and incubus, hanging 
upon her skirts, and I a prisoner in my body. JSow 
I am free. My long and painful illness prepared my 
spirit so far for spirit life that I can readily return, 
and am here to-night. And now I want to send to 
my late wife two incidents, as tests : First — I was 
with her last night, and she awoke from a dream ; I 
awoke her. Second— Three years ago, I had a sink- 
ing turn, and all thought I was surely dying. I 
recovered, contrary to the expectations of all. My 
name is Dick.' " 

And many exclaimed: "Is not this Dick Hager, 
we buried yesterday? " And one lady said: " I knew 
him well, and before his sickness, which had been of 
nine years duration; and I could not have described 
him as well as the seer has done." 

The seer then said: " Friends, this test has a shadow 
of collusion about it. I heard of this man's burial, 
but nothing more. And I now challenge the audi- 
ence to find collusion in any one act. Ladies and 
gentlemen, good night." 

And the seance was over. 

" I came, I saw," and I am compelled to yield the 
point. And now I ask my clergyman to do these 
things, or explain them, for I have found a man that 
tells me all that I ever did. B. 



CHAPTEE VI. 

A Dialogue between a Christian and a Spiritualist — A Conver- 
sation on the Cars — A Test : Reading of Character. 

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A CHRISTIAN AND A 
SPIRITUALIST 

Christian. "Thou shalt not suffer such as have 
familiar spirits to live in the land!" There, Mr. 
Spiritualist, you say you believe the Bible, and there 
is the Bible law for you; what are you going to do 
with it? 

Spiritualist. I am going to do with it just what 
you do with the following law: "Neither shalt thou 
wear garments of mixed material, for whosoever does 
is an abomination in the sight of God." Now, I see 
you have on garments of mixed material, hence you 
are an abomination, and common nuisance, in the 
sight of God. There is Bible for you, Mr. Christian; 
what are you going to do with it ? 

Christ. O, well; the law you have quoted was for 
the Jews only, and not for us Gentiles; hence, not 
binding on me, or the Gentiles. Therefore, the appli- 
cation is not good. 

Spirit. Both of these laws were given by the same 
God, and to the Jews, and for the purpose of separa- 
tion from the Gentiles, to designate them, as a peculiar 
people; and if one law is not binding on the Gentiles 
neither is the other; and if you have a right to make 

(54) 



A DIALOGUE. 55 

an abomination of yourself before God, I have a right 
to commune with familiar spirits. 

Christ. But familiar spirits are evil spirits, and it 
is not right to do evil. 

Spirit. How do you know that familiar spirits are 
evil; and where do you get your authority? 

Christ. The law made to suppress witches and 
wizards is evidence of their being evil. 

Spirit. Yes, yes; but we are not talking about 
witches and wizards, but about familiar spirits; nor 
can you find in the Bible, one who has a familiar spirit 
that is called a witch. You will notice that the dis- 
junctive conjunction, "or," is used every time, thus: 
" Such as have familiar spirits, or wizards, or necro- 
mancers," etc. Thus far your rulings fall to the 
ground, and we will come back to familiars. 

Christ. Well, you will admit that they are forbid, 
and that it is not lawful to commune with them ? 

Spirit. I admit that they are forbid; but that does 
not make it unlawful, or evil, for us to do what the 
Jews could not do under the law. For instance: the 
law against swine flesh, among the Jews, is not recog- 
nized by us; therefore, because the law forbids the use 
of pork to the Jew, it is not obligatory on us. 

Christ. Would you advise the seeking unto these 
mediums, familiar spirits, what good can come of it ? 
Will you tell me? 

Spirit. . My dear sir, you are dodging the main 
question. It is not, Would I advise it? but the appli- 
cation of the law, as well as what constitutes a familiar 
spirit. For instance, Saul says to the woman of 



56 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Endor: "Divine unto us by the familiar spirit." Not 
thy or my familiar, but some other spirit; and she 
did so. Who opposed ? Samuel, the prophet of God ; 
one of Judah's noblest sons; and Samuel is a familiar 
spirit. Moses and Elias was the familiar spirit of 
Jesus, and Elias of John the Baptist; and Jesus of 
Nazareth became the familiar of Paul. Head the 
twenty-second chapter of Acts ; also the ninth. Thus 
I might point out to you a score, or more, of familiars 
in the Bible, who are angels, immortal, and yet helpers 
of man. What do you say to this, Sir Christian? 

Christ. I say, sir, that you are wonderful in soph- 
istry, and that the Devil can quote Scripture. I do 
not believe in Spiritualism, nor you cannot convince 
me; for Spiritualism is evil, and of the Devil, and 
none but the spirits of wicked men ever come back to 
earth. 

Spirit. I thought you did not believe in Spiritual- 
ism, and here you are admitting the whole thing. 

Christ. You are mistaken. I do not admit your 
position. But I must bid you good-bye. The boat 
is near our landing. But before I go, let me tell you, 
my friend, to find Jesus; he is your only Savior. 

Spirit. When, and where, was Jesus lost ? Will 
you tell me? 

Exit Christian, with a very long face, growling 
about the Devil. And I go to my dinner — which is 
a good one — and, while eating, may hear of Jesus. 



A CONVERSATION. 57 

A CONVERSATION IN THE GARS. 

On Tuesday, February 2, 1869, on our road to 
Eddys ville, the following remark was made by a gen- 
tleman in the seat before us, to a lady by his side: 

"It is all bosh — positive foolery — an imposition." 

"What is it, dear?" asked the lady. 

"Why, this account of a talk 'with the spirits, in 
Buffalo, last night," said her dear. 

" Why," said the lady, " I thought that the horrid 
thing was dead — exposed long ago. You know, dear, 
our minister exposed it, over seven years ago, and we 
have heard nothing of it since." 

" No; it's not dead, by a long sight," said her dear. 

" What do you refer to," we inquired. 

" This article," he said, pointing to a column in his 
paper headed, "A Talk with the Spirits." 

And before us we saw an account of our seance in 
Buffalo, on the evening before. The account was gar- 
bled, and far from correct, and yet was well calculated 
to attract attention. After reading it, we asked, 
"Where is the bosh, for this article testifies that 
these things did take place?" 

"Well," he said, "suppose they did; does it follow 
that they are spirits?" 

"Yes, certainly; and who is better qualified to de- 
termine this than the phenomenon itself ? Yon are a 
phenomenon. A bull looks at you, and you say to the 
bull, 'Mr. Bull, I am a man; ' and the bull turns to 
the cows, and says, ' My dear cows, that's nonsense; 
here, our dear calf stands up on his two legs, trying 
to make us believe he is a man.' < It is bosh,' says 



58 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

the cows. ' Yes,' says Mr. Bull, ' positive foolery,' and 
the cows and bull go away satisfied that your testi- 
mony is worthless; and you have no right to testify to 
the bulls and cows what you are; and just so you say, 
'Bosh! bosh!' and give the lie to an everlasting 
truth, and that, too, in the face of the fact that the 
phenomenon has never denied itself, and when even 
left to speak for itself, it has ever said, ' I am a spirit/ 
or, ' We are spirits.' No matter whether skeptics. 
Christians, or Spiritualists, deal with the phenomena, 
the universal answer is, ' I am,' or, ' We are spirits.' ' 

" Are you one? " said he. 

" Yes, everywhere." 

" And so am I," said a lady, just behind me, 

"And I," said a man in front of the "dear." 

" And here, too," said another, on the opposite side 
of the car. 

" Do you think Spiritualism is dead ? " said we. 

" Well, we have not heard anything about it in a 
long time," said the dear. 

Our station was at hand, and we had to leave. 



A TEST: BEADING OF CHARACTER. 

A friend placed in our hand a letter, and, as he did 
so, said: "What do you think of the writer of that 
letter?" We held it a few moments, and then read: 

"The writer of this letter is a male; about five feet 
two inches in height; weighs one hundred and sixty- 
five pounds, or thereabouts; is between forty-five and 
fifty years of age; his hair is short and thick on his 



READING OF CHARACTER. 59 

head, of dark color; his beard short — say two inches 
long — and thick, and nicely trimmed. He is well 
made — strong of limb, flesh of fine fiber, nerves 
well organized and very firm. His temperament is 
in a scale of seven: bilious, six full; sanguine, six 
minus; nervous, five plus; lymphatic, four minus. 
He is firm in purpose, strong in will power, clear of 
mind, far-seeing, and possessed of remarkable cour- 
age; and yet is not reckless of his own life, or of 
others. He is very reticent in all public or important 
matters; says but little, and writes less; in private, 
however, he is sociable, genial, and frequently quite 
mirthful. He is a good eater, and likes his meals in 
good taste; enjoys a sumptuous dinner, but is not an 
epicure; can live on hard tack and fat pork, if re- 
quired. Seldom finds fault; firm as a friend, strong 
in enmity, but with a kind and forgiving nature. He 
has a clear head, and remarkable executive abilities; 
possesses economy without parsimony; loves money 
but for its use. Is a firm, kind, and indulgent father 
and husband. Is a great man, and does well what- 
ever he has to do. Is a genius, and needs but the 
opportunity to make his mark in the world. He has 
fight in him, and can kill, if required. He is a man 
of action; has now, and will have, many personal as 
well as public enemies. He has passed through great 
dangers; has been in great commotion; his life is a 
success. The assassin has been close to him. If he 
lives through this year, he will live for many years." 
We know of but one man living that this character 



60 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

resembles, and that is General U. S. Grant, the Presi- 
dent of the United States. 

u What are his religious views?" asked our friend. 

He is liberal and religious, but we doubt if he be- 
longs to any church. 

" Who is he?" we asked. 

"It is General Grant, President of the United 
States," he replied. 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Fire Test; or, Tried in the Fire and Found True— A Fear 
ful time, the 8th, 9th and 10th of October, 1871 — I opened 
the door and all came out — Pa, Lincoln is in the house! — 
Papa, I shall be burned up — There came upon us a wave of 
living fire — I fell forward with my babe in my arms, all on 
fire — It was fearfully sublime — There at my feet lay a little 
form roasted to a crisp — She came into the fire saying, " Oh, 
where are mother and baby?" 

THE FIRE TEST. 

Readers, when you have read the following wonder- 
ful experience, you can fully understand the royal 
beauties of our gospel, as well as the wonderful and 
exceeding delights of clairvoyance, the rock on which 
Jesus built his church. 



THE FIRE TEST. 61 

The kind of prayer exercised by my brother Eames 
is the prayer, and the only prayer, we believe in. We 
have never known it to fail in man's extremity, and 
we believe that any soul, in time or eternity, which, 
when in soul extremity, appeals to the All Father for 
aid, will find the aid to be forthcoming. 

My brother-in-law is now at my house, my honored 
guest, with his motherless girls. Weeks and months 
must pass on before he can help himself, and ours the 
task to feed, clothe and comfort him. Oh, how glad 
we are that we have a shelter for him; and we only 
wish we had room for a few more from the ruins of 
Birch Creek, Peshtigo, and the Sugarbush settle- 
ments : 

Dear Brother: Here I am, at home, with the 
remnant of my family — the two oldest girls — in 
answer to your kind letter, telling me to come with 
my two motherless children. God and his angels be 
with you, to reward you and yours for the kind wel- 
come extended to us on our arrival. 

We reached your home on the morning of the 8th, 
leaving Menominee Tuesday evening, the 7th ultimo. 
I desire to give you some account of this terrible fire, 
which we have passed through. Leaving my wife 
(your Mary's sister), and our two youngest children — 
aged, one thirteen months, and the other seven years — 
behind us — gone on before us to the other shore; 
and why we were spared, and I in particular, burned 
as I am, is more than I can tell; but God knows. 
Oh ! the horrors of that night ! No pen can portray, 



62 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

or language express, and we who suffered can hardly 
realize, what we have passed through. 

Sunday, October 8, was a cold, chilly day. The 
atmosphere was very remarkable — still, and filled 
with a dense, blinding smoke, fearfully increasing 
toward night. Still we felt no real alarm, as I was 
confident that if the woods were on fire, and the fire 
approaching, I could save my family and my build- 
ings, as we had prepared for such fires, and were in a 
clearing of twelve acres. Through the day I had 
been out in all directions, looking for fire, or any signs 
of actual fire approaching, but there was none ; there- 
fore, on my return home, toward night, I felt no 
more alarmed than usual; and yet, could not rest, on 
account of the dense smoke and peculiar smell accom- 
panying, making it very unpleasant to inhale. How- 
ever, my wife and children went to bed, as usual. I 
laid down on a lounge, and was up and down, through 
the night, watching, as had been my custom since any 
talk of fires. At a quarter to ten in the evening, I 
was up and out in the darkness. Nothing was to be 
seen or heard, hardly a leaf stirring, but oh! the 
smoke ! The smell — one could hardly endure it. I 
feared, I knew not what. I laid down until the clock 
struck eleven, when I was aroused by seeing lights 
approaching our house. I woke up my wife and chil- 
dren, and told them to dress themselves, and then 
went out to see who was coming. It proved to be my 
next neighbor, Mr. Blauvett and family, coming over, 
so that we might be together in case of fire, as there 
was more clearing around my house than theirs. By 



THE FIRE TEST. 63 

the time they had got to my house, my family were 
up and waiting — feeling the approach of some un- 
seen foe. We knew not from whence or where to look 
for danger, and yet felt this ominous stillness — this 
dense smoke and stench, together with the cold, and 
intense darkness, all combined, portended something 
fearful, and we waited in silence its approach, Mr. B. 
and myself outside, and our families inside. I had 
closed the doors, to keep out the cold and smoke. 
While standing a few feet from the door, all at once I 
saw a bright light approaching, in size as large as a 
half-bushel measure, and, as it came toward us, it ap- 
peared like a ball of lire, approaching from the south- 
east, and I saw it pass directly over my house to the 
northwest, just high enough to clear the house. The 
night being so very dark, as it passed over it dazzled 
our eyes, and I watched it out of sight. All in the 
house saw the same light, as it approached and disap- 
peared, from the windows. Next, we heard a tre- 
mendous explosion, which was so great that I can 
compare the sound to nothing I ever heard. The 
ground shook and trembled beneath our feet; the 
house jarred to its foundation, and the window-glass 
rattled in their place; and while we stood in breath- 
less silence, not knowing which way to look or turn, 
or from what quarter the danger was coming, for, as 
yet, we saw no fire approaching; we heard a low, 
rumbling sound — a sullen roar, like an earthquake; 
this lasted only a few moments, after which came a 
change of atmosphere, with slight puffs of wind, and 
growing warmer every moment. Suddenly my house 



64 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

took fire overhead. Remember, I was out doors, in 
the midst of this intense darkness; and, as I looked, 
my large barn was also on fire — the flame crawling 
along like a fiery snake, on top of the barn, on top 
of the house, in the tops of the trees, in the air, and 
yet no fire on the ground. 

I opened the door, and all came out, and we started 
for the hilL You remember the ridge west of my 
house. We had selected this place to go to, in case of 
fire, and from this fire we knew no better place to 
go. House and barn on fire — we must go some- 
where. All this took but a moment, and we left the 
house — our happy home — forever, only to be united 
again beyond the River of Death. 

Mr. B. and family, together with my children, pro- 
ceeded ahead. At this time all was instantaneously 
light as day; darkness had disappeared, and the whole 
heavens seemed one vast wave of fire. I took the baby 
out of my wife's arms, and we followed the others 
toward the hill. O, God! Such a scene as now pre- 
sented itself cannot be described. Not only in an 
instant had my house and barn taken fire on their 
roofs, but the whole air was one bright wave of flame- 
lire, and, as yet, no fire on the ground ; only later, as 
it caught from this shower of fire in the air. 

We hastened on. When about sixty feet from the 
house, my wife spoke: 

"Pa, Lincoln is in the house — our only son." 

I placed the baby in her arms, saying, " You follow 
the rest to the hill, while I run back and see, and if 
he is there, I will bring him to you, dead or alive." 



THE FIRE TEST. 65. 

I entered the burning house, which was all in a 
blaze overhead, and fire falling through in every direc- 
tion, so rapid had been its progress. My search was 
sharp and rapid, but he was not there. I ran back to 
where I had left my wife, supposing she had gone on, 
when, to my surprise, I found her standing just as I 
had left her. I said to her: 

" He is not in the house. Give me the baby. He 
must have gone on with the rest." 

I took the baby on my left arm, and just then saw 
our boy coming toward us. He came running up to 
me, saying: 

"Papa, I shall be burned up. What shall I do?" 

I replied, saying: "Give me your hand, my boy, 
and we will go to the top of the hill; but don't try to 
get away from papa." 

I saw that his terror was very great. I feared for 
him. I also said: 

" See, pa has got the baby and mother here, and we 
will go together." 

Thus, having him by one hand, and the baby on the 
other arm, I said to my wife: 

" Take hold of my vest collar," as I had no Coat on. 
She did so, but never spoke from the time she thought 
our boy was in the house. She was perfectly paral- 
yzed with fear for his safety, and stood gazing at the 
terrible fire in the heavens. I noticed, as we hurried 
along, that the wind was increasing at a fearful rate, 
great trees bending like withes before it. A few steps 
more, and we would have reached the top of the hill, 
where the children, and Mr. B. and family, were. At 



66 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

this point, my son let go my hand, and bounded away 
like a deer toward his sisters, and at the same instant 
there came upon us, from what quarter I know not, a 
wave of living fire, completely enveloping us in its 
embrace, and prostrating us all to the ground. It 
struck me in the face, blinding me in an instant, and 
my long beard and hair was in a blaze. I fell for- 
ward, with my baby in my arms, all on lire — my wife 
falling across my feet, and rolling over on her back — 
not a sound from her or the baby — myself in flames. 
The roar of the fire tornado was more than deafening, 
it was grand; it was like the sound of the cataract, 
the thunder, and the roar of the sea, combined. It 
was fearfully sublime. I laid my baby down, drew up 
my feet from beneath my wife, and, in the midst of 
this fearful ruin, prayed Almighty God to let me die 
with my family. Why had he passed me by? "O, 
take me, too," I cried. I had no desire to live, for I 
supposed that all was gone, and that this sheet of 
flame had swallowed all, and, in agony of spirit, I 
prayed to go too. But I was not allowed to die. A 
voice came to me, so distinct and clear that I heard 
it — I am not mistaken — saying: "Get up; get up, 
and look for your children." I could not resist. I 
arose to my feet, went forward a few steps, and there, 
at my feet, lay a little form, roasted to a crisp. I sup- 
posed it was my darling boy. " Oh ! my boy," I cried 
aloud. My senses were suspended for a moment — I 
knew nothing. I groped my way along, I knew not 
where. I thought I saw some object moving. I 
pulled my eyes open, called my eldest girl, and, brave 



THE FIRE TEST. 67 

child, she came to me into the very face of death; she 
came into the lire, saying: 

" Oh ! where are mother and baby ? " 

I replied: "Mother and the baby are dead. And 
where," I asked, " are Mary and Lincoln?" 

She answered: "Mary is here; Lincoln is dead." 

I was blind and on fire. She led me where Mrs. 
B.'s children and Mary were. Mr. B. and part of his 
family were gone, we knew not where. 

I said to them: " We must all lay flat on our faces, 
that we may breathe," the air being full of fire falling 
all around us. 

The wind had increased to a hurricane, the largest 
trees bending and being uprooted before it. The roar 
of the wind, the blazing and falling timber, the glare 
of the fire, the whole heavens being one vast sheet of 
flame! One must see, to fully know and understand 
the horrors of that terrible night. There is no use 
for me to attempt to describe it; it cannot be done. 
There is no danger of any pen, or speech, exaggerat- 
ing the scenes of this fearful hour, for all of this 
happened in less time than I could tell it. In less 
than one hour, my wife and children were dead 
at my side, my property all destroyed, and only the 
ashes of my home left. And this was the foe that had 
come upon us. No one could guard against fire from 
over our heads, and we fell before it. 

Can you imagine my feelings, brother, as with my 
girls, now motherless, myself still burning, we lay 
there? God grant that you may never pass through 
such a night ! 



68 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Soon the wind decreased in violence, and the force 
of the tempest of fire and wind had passed on; we 
could hear its terrible roar, and we were in its awful 
trail. We now began to fully realize our condition : 
All of us cold, and nearly naked; I fearfully burned, 
from the top of my head down to the soles of my feet, 
suffering the most intense pain. I felt that I could 
not endure and live; my face one mass of burns; my 
body burned deep in many places; my hands, legs, 
and feet fairly roasted. I had on two pairs of pants; 
they were tucked inside my boots ; they were burned 
clear off, and up inside the boots, leaving the leather, 
burned to a crisp, on my roasted feet. Can you real- 
ize what I passed through and suffered — suffering 
ten thousand deaths, and could not die, as I had de- 
sired to, with my wife and babies? 

I then called on the little group — six of us in all — 
and said to them : " Here is all there is left of our two 
families, so far as we know. We know not where 
your husband and the other children are; my wife, 
baby and son are dead. Now, in this hour of sorrow, 
let us all, with one accord and united voices, pray 
earnestly to Almighty God, our Father, as we never 
did before, that we may have grace and strength to 
endure this terrible affliction that has come upon us, 
that in this fearful pain I was suffering I might be 
sustained and strengthened." And as our voices min- 
gled, ascending in prayer, all at once I felt surrounded 
with a host of angelic beings; they were on my right 
and on my left, before me and behind me; I felt their 
presence so clearly, that I thought, if I moved either 



THE FIRE TEST. 69 

way, I should touch them. And we prayed on with- 
out ceasing, until, in a moment, I felt my pain had 
left me entirely, and from that moment I have never 
felt the least pain from my burns; and all who were 
with me, and have nursed me for the last thirty days, 
can testify to my condition when with them. 

And I call upon my God to witness, that this is the 
truth, and that I am this day a living demonstration 
of his power to heal through ministering spirits. Al- 
though, brother, you know I have never professed to 
be a Spiritualist, neither have I been a member in the 
church for many years, I know not who these beings 
were. I recognized none of them. It mattered little 
to me who they were. When they came, my pain left 
me; and more — they lifted from me the great weight 
of sorrow that weighed down my soul. They bid me 
look up, not down, on those lifeless forms; they are 
not there, in those charred and marred bodies; they 
have passed on, are now (resting in the Summer Land) 
above, and will be with you soon; they suffered not as 
you think, but in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 
at the sound of the tornado's trumpet, they were born 
into immortal life. Turn now to the living; there is 
your duty. Mourn not for those who have passed on; 
you are to live and go from here. 

From this united prayer I rose up free from pain, 
and strengthened to endure my loss. We remained 
there until near daylight. Beginning to feel cold, I 
was led to some half-burned logs, which they turned 
over, and we sat between them, trying to keep warm, 
as there was not fire enough left to keep us warm. 



70 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

It had come upon us like a flash of lightning, and 
left us as quickly, with our dead, and the ashes of our 
homes, as tokens of its visitation. 

Morning light came. I wished once more to look, 
with my motherless girls, upon our lost and loved 
ones. My two girls led me back to where their 
mother and baby sister lay. I pulled my eyelids 
apart, for my face was so swollen and blistered that 
I could not see, only as I opened my eyes by force, 
and looked upon their faces for the last time on earth. 
Somehow, their faces were not much burned; but I 
cannot dwell here; they were dead, and their bodies 
roasted. My wife lay as she fell, with arms extended 
toward heaven, as if imploring aid. A little farther 
on, we found our darling boy, the one on whom I had 
hoped to lean, for support, in my old age, not burned 
as the others, but, we supposed, died from inhaling 
the hot air. We turned from our dead in silence, and 
passed on by the ashes of our home, no longer a home 
to us; all, all had gone! 

I turned, with my children, and started for Menom- 
inee, seven miles away, not thinking for a moment 
that all, between our little settlement and the town, 
had shared our fate. But such, we found, had been 
the force of the tempest, that the State road was 
blockaded; huge trees, torn from their roots, lay 
across the way in every direction, making the road 
almost impassable. Fire had passed over the ground, 
leaving its traces all around. Every house was burned 
between ours and the town but one, and this was five 
miles away; we reached it about seven o'clock in the 



THE FIKE TEST. 71 

evening. All that day I was led by my girls, and our 
neighbors, over and under trees, groping along in 
darkness, for I was blind, and all of us hungry, thirsty 
and nearly naked. Glad were we when we reached 
Judge Ingalls' farm. We found an old Frenchman in 
charge, who welcomed us, and supplied our pressing 
wants. Just then Dr. Sherman met us, having come 
down as quickly as possible after getting w T ord from 
my neighbor, who had gone ahead. The doctor, see- 
ing how bad I was, and being so tired, thought best 
to have me rest until morning, when they would send 
the teams again for me. Tuesday morning came, and 
I was carried on a bed, in a wagon, to Menominee, 
two miles, and found friends, who kindly welcomed 
me and dressed my wounds. I remained with them 
for thirty days, until able to come to your home with 
my motherless girls, where I was welcomed by your 
family. God bless you, my brother! 

I have told you I got to Menominee Tuesday morn- 
ing, October 10, and, while there, was cared for by 
Dr. Sherman, who, after cutting off the rags — rem- 
nants of my clothes — proceeded to dress my burns — 
roasted feet and hands, and swollen eyes. I cannot 
tell you how bad I was. You know Dr. Sherman well; 
and to any who doubts my word, write to him as to 
my condition, and then they will realize fully what the 
Lord has done for me, through his angels. 

Drs. Shepard and Dodge took charge of me after 
the first few days. I was tenderly cared for, and 
nursed with brotherly and sisterly love by all with 
whom I met. I have experienced nothing but kind- 



72 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ness to myself and children. Friends of long-stand- 
ing, and strangers, vied with each other in acts of 
kindness to us, in our helpless condition, and have our 
grateful thanks. Drs. Sherman, Shepard, Dodge, 
Judge Ingalls, Messrs. Grimes, Abbott, Brooks, 
Bagley, and others, will testify that, when I reached 
Menominee, my condition was such that none thought 
I could live; and all who came in contact with me, 
will testify to the truth of my statements, that I have 
suffered no pain, and that they have heard no com- 
plaints, or groans, or flinching, when my burns were 
being dressed. 

On Tuesday night, the 10th, while lying at the 
Taylor House, I saw my wife, in a vision. Others 
came with her; and it was said to me, from these 
spirits — I could not distinguish whose voice: 

" You will live, and go to Illinois." 

I awoke, and felt refreshed, and have ever since felt 
surrounded by these unseen friends, helping me all 
the time. I could not, at the time, comprehend how 
I was to go to Illinois in my present condition. You 
may judge of our surprise, on the receipt of your and 
Mary's letter to Judge Ingalls and myself, with love, 
sympathy, and your home open to us. Brother and 
sister, it quite overcame me; and yet I felt and knew 
I was to go to your home with my girls, expecting to 
have to ask you for a home, through the winter, and, 
instead, came the invitation, a free-will offering from 
you and yours. So, at the end of thirty days, the prom- 
ise of those heavenly visitors was fulfilled. When 
I left kind friends procured me a pass to Chicago; 



THE FIRE TEST. 73 

they saw me on board the steamer for Green Bay, 
where other friends — strangers to me — many of 
of them friends of yours — saw me on board the cars ; 
went with me to the Mayor's office, who kindly 
greeted ns; then countersigned our passes, and bid us 
God-speed. Who could do more? 

All the way to Chicago, conductors, and all oth- 
ers on board of the cars, seemingly vied with each 
other to help us on our way. It was only necessary 
for me to mention the Peshtigo and Menominee fires, 
and point to my burns, for they were my witnesses. 
On my w T ay, I met many who knew you, and to men- 
tion your name to them, was to win, at once, their 
sympathy and help. One gentleman came to me, 
inquired about the fire, our condition, where we were 
going, etc., and took a fine woolen scarf from his neck, 
asking me to accept it, saying: "Tell E. Y. Wilson 
his old friend, Mr. Hardinge, of Shell Rock, Iowa, 
gave it to you." He then hurriedly left. 

Andj now, my brother, here I am, in your home, 
all there is left of my once happy family being ten- 
derly cared for, all our wants supplied, by your Mary, 
and children, and, after five weeks, I find myself quite 
helpless. I can see, thank God. My hands and feet 
are slowly improving, and I am gaining strength, and 
can move about the house a little. I feel confident 
that I will regain the use of my hands in time; the 
nails are all coming off, but new ones will come in 
their place; I trust to retain all my fingers, and the 
use of them. 

I thank God for allowing us to testify that I have 



74r THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

been healed of pain through the ministration of angel 
friends; and I here desire to add my testimony to the 
thousands of other witnesses, that I know our loved 
ones do return to us, and that men and women are 
prompted by these, our spirit friends, and theirs also, 
to help their brothers and sisters of the earth -life. 

And now, dear brother, this is the way I have been 
led to your house, and am made welcome by your 
family, as well as by many unseen angel friends. I 
can feel their presence, but cannot always see them, 
and, since being in your house, have felt them work- 
ing over my crippled hands and feet, and believe they 
will restore to me the use of them in good time. 

Brother, I am a living demonstration of spirit 
power, through the laws of God, who came to my 
help, in my hour of trial, and relieved rne of all 
my pain. I am now a Spiritualist. What else could 
I be, after seeing, hearing, and feeling, their presence, 
and witnessing their power to remove pain and restore 
one back to life, who was so near the grave as I was? 
And you are at liberty to make use of these facts as 
it seems good to you. 

All I have here stated can be proved, by writing to 
any of the parties mentioned above, or to the Relief 
Committee, at Menominee, Michigan; they will all 
remember me, as the only one, so badly burned, that 
lived. 

God and angels be with you, my brother, and bless 
you in your work, in the cause of spiritual freedom. 
And here let me thank all kind friends, who have 
assisted me through you. 



A TEST FROM MY DIARY. 75 

I could add much more in detail, but have dictated 
enough to give you some idea of what I and mine 
have passed through, and of the manner my dear wife 
and children closed up their earth-life, and were borne 
into spirit-life through fire. 

I hope soon to see you, and look forward to the 
New Year, anticipating your return, for Mary says 
you will spend [New Year's day with the dear ones at 
home. 

Mary, your mate in life, and partner in business, 
writes this for me, as I cannot. 

My girls send love to Uncle Eben, whom they have 
not seen for over six "years. 

Accept love and heartfelt thanks from myself and 
children. Your brother, 

Phineas Eames. 

Lombard, HI 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The Quincy (Mich.) Wonder, 1860 — The Salem (111.) Tests, 1868. 

A TEST FROM MY DIARY OF 1860. 

In December, of the year of grace 1860, I was 
resting a few days at the pleasant home of my good 
friend, Brother T— — , of Coldwater, in Michigan. 



76 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

One day, sitting in the daguerrean rooms of B. M., 
my helper, Dr. Roberts, called my attention to a com- 
munication in regard to Quincy, saying: 

" I want you to give a lecture at Quincy on Satur- 
day evening; subject, "The Bible: A Text Book for 
Spiritualists." 

We asked if there were any Spiritualists in Quincy. 

"Yes," he said; " two families, A. W. S and 

T., and they can get the Union School House; there 
is, also, a skeptic, Judge M., in Quincy, who will 
favor a lecture. By the way, Mr. T. is coming here 
to-day; is on his way now, and is coming to these 
rooms." 

We here described Mr. T. to Mr. E., who was in 
the room at this time. 

Mr. E. laughed, saying: " You have described Mr. 
T. very correctly, and, if he comes here to-day, we 
will see if you will be able to identify him." 

Soon, hearing steps on the stairs, we said: " Mr. T. 
is now on the stairs." Then the door opened, and we 
met him with, " Good morning, Mr. T. ; you are from 
Quincy." 

" Yes, I am from Quincy; but you have the advant- 
age of me, sir. I do not know you." 

"True sir," we replied; "we do not know you; but 
my spirit friend, Dr. Eoberts, knows who you are, and 
lias desired me to give a lecture on Saturday evening. 
You are requested, by the spirits, to engage the Union 
School House of Mr. S. and Judge M. You can get 
it ; and we will send you the handbills necessary for 
advertising the lecture." 



A TEST FROM MY DIARY. 77 

" But," said he, " suppose I canuot get the School 
House ; what then ? " 

" But you can, for Dr. Roberts says so." 

" I will try," said T., " and if I do get it, I will 
write to you." 

" You will get it," we said, " and we know that you 
will." 

"Very well," said T.; "we shall see if the spirits 
tell the truth," and then left us for his home. 

The next day we sent him the handbills, which read 
as follows: 

u Spiritualism ! will lecture at the Union 

School House, on Saturday evening, December — . 
Subject: 'The Bible: A Text Book for Spiritualists. ' 
He that hath ears, come and hear. The lecture will 
be free." 

On Friday, we were sitting in the store of Mr. W., 
when there came in a fine-looking young man, asking 
Mr. W. if the man who published this placard was 
known to him. 

" Yes," said Mr. W. ; " there he sits." 

The young man came to us, and said, "Father says 
you had better withdraw this placard, and not lecture 
in Quincy, as is advertised, for the Christians are pre- 
paring to mob you." 

"Who are you? and who is your father?" I asked. 

" I am Melville M., son of Judge M., of Quincy, 
and he says you had better stay at home." 

" Well, sir, permit me to thank you and your father 
for the advice given ; but say to him, when you go 



78 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

home, that we shall speak in Quincy on Saturday 
evening, and will take the responsibility of meeting 
the mob." 

" Very well, sir ; you are warned, now do as you 
think best," said the young man. 

" We certainly shall," we replied. 

Well, Saturday came, and in the afternoon we took 
a horse and sleigh, and, in company with Sisters T. 
and K., went to Quincy, reaching the place of meet- 
ing a little late. We found the house crowded — not 
a spare seat in it. On pushing our way through the 
audience, to the desk, we were touched on the shoul- 
der by our spirit guide, Dr. Roberts, who said : 
"There, in that corner (pointing to our right), you 
will find the trouble, if any, this evening. Be on 
your guard; follow your impulse to the letter, and 
you will pass through the storm safely. Be cool, 
calm, and fearless, and all will be well." 

On reaching the desk, we took a look at the corner 
specified, and, from the appearance, we judged that 
there was mischief there. Announcing our text, we 
proceeded to define Spiritualism, in our own peculiar 
way. On reviewing the conversation between Satan 
and the Lord, in regard to Job, we were batted by a 
stout, heavy-built Englishman, thus: 

"Hold on, sir!" 

"Well, we are holding on." 

" Do you know what you are saying? " 

" Perfectly well, sir." 

"Are you responsible for what you say?" 



A TEST FROM MY DIARY. 79 

" To the letter, sir." 

" Do you mean to be understood that the Bible war- 
rants the dialogue you are uttering? " 

" Yes, sir, to the letter." 

"You do?" 

" Yes, sir." 

"You are a liar," he then said; "a black-hearted 
Infidel liar." 

In a moment, half of the audience were on their 
feet. Calmly, we turned to our questioner, and said: 

"Thank you, sir. We are much obliged to you; 
and here let me say, that it is not the first time we 
have been called a liar by a Methodist clergyman." 

" How do you know that I am a Methodist minis- 
ter?" he asked. 

" When coming through the crowd, to the desk, we 
smelt sulphur in your corner, and, knowing that 
Methodist clergymen deal largely in that article, con- 
cluded you were one of them." 

At this, there was a great shout and laugh. Seeing 
how the tide was turning, we seized upon the auspi- 
cious moment, and said: 

" Come up to the desk, sir; you are not a bad man; 
you mean well; come up, and let us reason together." 

He accepted the invitation, and came forward. As 
he stepped upon the platform, we saw spirits around 
him, and said: 

"Hold, sir! we see you in a storm at sea; you are 
on board an emigrant ship. On a hammock, in the 
steerage cabin, there lies a dying woman ; you are by 
her side, weeping; she is dead; the storm is over, and 



80 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

preparations are made for ocean burial; the form is 
ensacked, with dead weights at her feet; the funeral 
service is read, and she is consigned to a watery grave ; 
and, ere she has found the bottom, you are writing to 
that pale-faced woman, sitting there, to come to the 
N"ew World and take her place." 

" Some one has told you all this," he cried, in a 
loud voice, "you lie, and you know that you lie." 

"Judge not, lest ye be judged by that judgment 
ye mete out to others," we instantly replied. As 
this was said, there stood up a man, in the middle of 
the house, and said: 

" It may be that you can tell me something." 

" Yes, we can ; we see by you a bright yellow man, 
of the negro race; he was a peddler; and says, 
twenty-two years ago, he put up at a new two-story 
house, about one mile from here, in that direction 
(pointing with his finger), and he says he went up 
stairs to bed; he was brought down stairs in a blanket, 
and buried in a sand hill, some rods from the house; 
and that, when the railroad was built, his bones were 
dug out of the hill; and that you know who killed 
him." 

At this, Judge M. stepped upon the platform, say- 
ing, " Let this thing stop." 

" Leave the platform," we said, " it is ours, and we 
intend to use it. Are there any others here who wish 
anything told them? " At this, the party with whom 
we saw the yellow man, left the house. We waited a 
moment, and then continued our lecture for an hour. 
At its conclusion, we were invited to tarry over night 



MANY SPIRIT TESTS. 81 

at the home of Judge M., and of him learned that all 
we had said was strictly true, and that he was cogni- 
zant of the facts, as related. 

Are we not surrounded by a multitude of witnesses. 



M. ANT SPIRIT TESTS. 

Lecturing in Salem, Illinois, December, 1868, the 
following tests were given: 

First. While speaking, there stood by me a spirit, 
and said: "My name is Mikey; and I was killed 
west of this, on the railroad, six years ago." He was 
identified. 

Second. Sitting in my chair, near the desk, wait- 
ing for the audience to get in, there came in, among 
the others, a gentleman and lady, and behind them 
came a beautiful little girl, with her hand hold of the 
dress of the lady. Looking up to me, with a sweet 
smile, she said: "My papa and mamma; see, won't 
you, my papa and mamma." Up to this moment, I 
thought that it was a child in the earth form, but then 
saw it was a spirit. Subsequently, while speaking, 
she came again ; and this time showed herself to me 
in a school-room, full of life and joy, and gave me to 
understand that she was the favored pupil of the man 
she had just before called papa; and then she said to 
me, in a sweet, childish way, " Won't you describe 
me? " And thus she continued to tease me, until I 
consented to do so; and then she patiently waited her 
time, sometimes with the mother, and then with the 
father I then described her ; and when I mentioned 
6 



82 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

the school-room she laughed in childish glee, saying: 
" Five years ago, papa." 

The gentleman answered, and said: "Five years 
ago, 1 was teaching school, and the little child you 
have described was in m} r school, and my darling little 
daughter had that winter left me for a mansion in 
our Father's house." And the voice of the father 
toned down to the gentle accents of former days, 
when he used to pet his "wee darling," in the earth - 
form. 

Third. To Dr. G., called on by request, I gave 
the following incident: 

" Six years ago, I see you in a cloud ; there is a 
bitter storm of hatred and enmity about you; it is as 
dark as night; your life is in danger; you move for- 
ward, yet deeper into the dark; you halt, retreat, not- 
withstanding you are urged to go on. I then saw a 
man in the shadow of the darkness, and others mov- 
ing to and fro, in the shade of the trees. A change 
takes place — they recede; you are safe." . 

" You are right, in every particular; and the affair 
of six years ago is true, wonderfully true." 

I subsequently learned that the Knights of the 
Golden Circle determined, in their council, to hang 
the Doctor to a limb of a tree, near his own house, 
on the occasion referred to, and came in numbers, 
to carry out their plans; but, by the timely caution 
of the Doctor, they were thwarted, and his life was 
saved. 

" How do you get these facts? " asked a man in the 
house. 



MANY SPIRIT TESTS. 83 

" From his sister, who is with him, and is one of 
his guardian spirits," giving the time of her death, 
and then describing her. 

" Is this true, Doctor? " asked the man. 

u It is strictly true." 

" Do you know the speaker? " 

" I have no acquaintance with him; never saw him 
until yesterday." 

4i Most wonderful! " said the questioner. 

Fourth. Here came a spirit — crude, rough, and 
full of bitter feeling — exclaiming, "They choked me 
to death." 

" What is your name? " 

" White. D n them ! they did not give me 

time to get into ." 

Looking at me, he exclaimed, " They had a hard 
time with me, and I kept them at bay for some time. 
I then told the Sheriff that, if he would give me 
enough to eat and drink, afterward they might hang 
me in time for me to get to hell before night; and 
they did so; and then I let them hang me." 

Afterwards, I learned that this man had barricaded 
himself in his cell, and kept the officers of justice at 
bay for some time, finally consenting that they might 
take him out and hang him, in time for him to get 
into hell, provided they would give him a good, 
hearty dinner to eat, and some whisky to drink, which, 
I am informed, they did. 

Fifth. Mr. K., of this place, was sitting some feet 
from me, and there appeared a haze, or halo, around 
his head, in which I saw five men. I described two 



84 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

of them so that they were at once recognized. I saw 
a plan on foot to ruin him. I then described the 
whole thing, and said the affair grew out of some 
church matters, and that these men I saw were leaders 
in the church, and that they had done their best tc 
ruin him. 

" What do you know about the matter? " 

" It is as true as God," he answered, with a great 
deal of energy; "and the five men you have described 
were five ministers, and they have done their best tc 
ruin me." 

" Who tells you this? " was asked. 

"The spirit of his friend, who has been in the spirit 
world a number of years." 

"Is this so, Mr. K.?" 

"Yes, sir; and the description is correct." 

" All of these things you may do, and much more." 
" Shall he not give you in charge of his angels." — 
Jesus. 

" I have met a man that has told me all that I ever 
did. Come and see. Is not this the E. V. Wilson 
we have heard about, over there in Dupage county, 
Illinois?" 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Lyncher and his Victims — I love Jesus, my Jesus — A Ger- 
man Spirit Test. 

THE LYNCHER AND HIS VICTIMS. 

At a seance in St. Louis, on the second Monday 
evening in August, 1867, the following took place: 

I was giving readings of character in the presence 
of one hundred and thirty -five persons. There was a 
man present who was a stranger to all, and by him a 
spirit, who said to me, "look," and I saw four others 
standing with him by the man, and the spirit said: 
" This man hung us five fourteen years ago this month, 
down yonder in Texas." The scene changed and there 
stood by him three more spirits, and said: " This man 
executed us there eleven years ago next December." 
Again the scene changed, and there was with the man 
two other spirits, who said: "This man executed us 
seventeen years ago, last May, down there in Texas.'* 

We approached the man and said: "Sir, may we 
tell you what we see, and what took place with you in 
the past?" 

" Yes, sir, (flippantly,) if you can." 

"And you will not be offended if we tell some 
strange incidents in your past?" 

" jNo, sir, I will not be offended ; for I do not believe 
you can tell me anything, for the reason that I know 
yon do not know me." 

■ (85) 



86 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" Very well, we will see if we can tell you anything. 
There stands with yon the spirit of an Irishman, and 
with him four other spirits, (describing them,) and he 
says, "you executed us five in Texas fourteen years 
ago this month." What do you know of it. 

" Nothing. There is nothing in it, sir. Not a word 
of truth in the statement, sir." 

" Sir," we said, " there is beside these three other 
spirits, who say you executed them eleven years ago. 
The leader of them is a Spaniard, and says you know 
him. What say you to this?" 

" There is nothing in it, sir. It is not true." 

" Sir," said we, " it is passing strange, but here are 
two other spirits, and one of them is a Southerner, 
and they say you executed them seventeen years ago 
last May, down .there in Texas. Is this true?" 

"No, sir; it is not." 

" Sir," said we, there is a conflict here between the 
spirits, myself and you. I wish to get at the facts. I 
presume you do, or you would not be here. Will you 
answer me a few questions? " 

" Yes, sir. Ask all you please." 

"Were you in Texas from 1845 to 1863?" 

" Yes, I was." 

"Were you an officer of the law, or associated with 
the Vigilance Committee?" 

u Yes, sir; but any one could tell that by mv 
looks." 

" Have you ever helped execute any men as such 
officer?" 

"Yes, I have helped hang a good many men in 



THE LYNCHER AND HIS VICTIMS. 87 

Texas, in my time. But any good judge of human 
nature could tell that by looking at me." 

" Did you help execute the Irishman and his four 
companions? " 

" Yes, but it was not fourteen years ago, hence there 
is no truth in the statement." 

" When did this happen? Will you tell? " 

"In August, 1853." 

" Will you take 1853 from 1867, and tell me what 
the difference is?" 

" It is fourteen years, but then you or any other 
good judge of human nature could tell this by looking 
at me." 

"Here in fact, you have helped at many executions, 
and especially at the execution of these men whose 
souls or spirits are here to-night." 

" Yes, I have ; but it is not spirits ; and if so, why can't 
I see them. And then you know you might have 
heard of these things. Besides, any one might know 
that I was from Texas, and had been a public man." 

" Yes, yes, my friend, all this is but gammon on 
your part, and you know that I know nothing of you 
whatever, and yet you have admitted every fact related 
of you, and try to get rid of them by saying any man 
could tell this from your appearance. This is a poor 
compliment, and one I do not want to rest at my door." 

The people were very much surprised. 

Now, dear readers, here is a fact, and a stern one. 
These spirits were once men. They came not in bit- 
terness, but to enter a protest against the pleadings 
of men in favor of Judge Lynch and his court. 



88 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. ' 

Judge ye, between these spirits, and their execu- 
tioners. 



A GERMAN SPIRIT TEST. 

Monday evening, October 3, 1870, we gave a seance 
at Beeshop's Opera House, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
when the following incident took place. The Germans 
demanded tests. We turned to Mr. Beeshop and 
stated : 

" There are with you two beings who once were men 
in this earth life. They knew you over twenty years 
ago in the Old World." 

We then went into a minute description of each. 

" The first spirit speaks in German. I do not un- 
derstand him." 

" Try and tell what he says," said Beeshop. 

We replied, " He says, i Ich bien burgomaster 
Metzler.' " 

" I knew him well," said Beeshop, " now the other, 
who is he?" 

" We cannot tell, for the words he speaks are very 
peculiar. ' Ich bien der chastier Gotlieb.' " 

" My God!" said Beeshop, "I remember him 
well." 

We answered, " He is now singing the chorus of a 
song, and one that we think you joined in singing with 
them." 

" Bepe'at it," cried half a dozen voices. 

" We will try," we replied. 



' WHAT COULD I DO WITHOUT JESUS? 89 

After listening carefully to the spirit chorus, we 
repeated as follows, as near as we can write it: 

" Litorao, litorao, litorao, litorao, 

Willa willa wick, ye hiras so, litorao, 
Willa willa wick, ye hiras so, litorao 
Willa willa wick com bom." 

Beeshop and others, then present, replied: 
" We knew both these men in the Old World. The 
one was what you call a mayor, the other a jester, their 
names, Metzler and Gotlieb. Over twenty years ago, 
we parted with them in the Old World. On the eve 
of our separation, we joined in a song, the chorus of 
which, Mr. Wilson has rendered as correctly as is pos- 
sible for one not conversant with the language, to 
do." 



I LOVE JESUS, MY JESUS, WHAT COULD L DO WITH- 
OUT JESUS? 

Thus spoke a lady to me, Nov. 28, 1868. And what 
called out these words? A spirit communication, and 
the communication from her son and daughter. I 
saw them and had the name of one, and the son and 
brother was in the act of giving his name, when I 

said, "Mrs. , your son and daughter are here." 

" Stop, sir, do not say another word, please don't, I 
cannot bear it. I do not believe it, I am no Spirit- 
ualist, I do not want to be, nor will I ever be one. 
My views are fixed, unchangeably so, and I am satis- 
fied. Nothing can alter my opinion and belief. I 
love Jesus, mv Jesus, what could I do without Jesus?" 
And here the mother was lost in her adoration, for the 



90 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

deified Jesus. u Go back, children mine, to your dark 
and silent grave, sleep on until ' the Resurrection of 
the dead.' I buried you long ago, and with you I 
cast into the tomb my love and memory for God and 
I want you no more with me on earth, for my Jesus is 
all I ask, and all I want, so don't talk to me of the 
dead." 

I turned in sorrow from the mother, to these little 
ones from the Kingdom of Heaven, and like little pets 
of our own dear home circles. They cried, big tears 
rolled down their little cheeks, and the little boy said 
in a sweet voice, " Sister, come away, for mamma 
don't like us any more." " No, brother," said the 
little angel sister, " It is not mamma that don't like 
us, for she does, only its her think that don't like us, 
mamma does." Then there stood with them an 
Angel Guardian, and said, " Come, dear children, we 
will go* you must wait a little longer." I closed my 
eyes and wept, for I, too, have some sweet little angels 
in the Summer Land, and 0, how I like to have them 
come and visit me. Thanks, Heavenly Father, for the 
heavenly influence of angel children. 



CHAPTER X. 

Woman and Her Mission — Wonderful Case of Healing — Bitten 
by a Bloodhound. 

WOM AN AND HER MISSION. 

What is the mission? Has any one any idea? Is it 
identical with man's? If so, why not admit her to 
the right of franchise? " O, she don't want to vote; 
has no taste for political matters, and would not vote 
if she had the right; and besides, she would always 
vote as her husband did, and hence she would be a 
power in the hands of designing politicians, and open 
the door for corruption." 

The above remark we overheard on the cars not 
long ago. 

Now being on the Frontier Line of Progression, we 
were at once interested in these remarks, and at once 
took part in them. 

Spiritualist. How do you know she does not want 
to vote? 

Stranger. Because she is not qualified; her sphere 
is in-door — not out. Let her take care of the house 
and its contents, is my motto. 

Spirit. You do not answer my question. How 
do you know she does not want to vote — of your own 
knowledge? Has any one woman told you that she 
did not want to vote? 

Stran. Yes, there has ; and more than one. 
(91) 



92 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Spirit. Will you give rue their names? 

S tran. No! I won't. 

Spirit. Then I infer that you do not know of a 
woman who does not want to vote. 

Strain. Yes I do. My wife, for one, would not 
vote. 

Spirit. Is your wife on the cars? 

Stran. Why do you ask? Do you doubt my word? 

Spirit. No; but I would like to know for myself? 

Stran. Well, sir, I am good authority, and I know 
what I say to be true; and again, if she was disposed 
to vote, I should do my best to prevent her. 

Spirit. Just as I thought; she has suffered so 
much under your rule — felt the rod so sharply that 
you are afraid to grant her the right of suffrage, for 
fear she will turn the tables upon you, and you in 
your turn suffer at her hand, thus paying the penalty 
of your oppressive rule. 

Stran. Are you a Woman's Rights man? 

Spirit. Yes, we are. 

Stran. Did you ever know any respectable woman 
that wanted to vote? 

Spirit. We will not answer any question that 
involves the respectability, for it is no part of the 
qualifications of a voter. Make male voters respect- 
able, and then ask for respectable women to vote. 

Stran. Well, then I w T ill drop the respectable. 
Will you now answer my question? 

Spirit. Yes. I not only know of one but many; 
yes, thousands, and among them we count your wife, 
for wherever we "find a man so bitterly opposed to the 



WOMAN AND HER MISSION. 93 

right of franchise for woman, we are sure to find a 
woman in that house that is opposed to oppression. 

S trail. Please answer my question. Do you know, 
personally, one woman who desires to vote? 

Spirit. Yes; your wife, my wife, Mrs. Cady Stan- 
ton; Mrs. S , of Michigan; Mrs. E , of Cleve- 
land; Mrs. R , of Chicago, and here is a notice of 

a vote taken in a Methodist church in Chicago, where 
one hundred and sixty -one votes were cast in favor of 
lay representation, and eighty-seven of them were 
women, and this is significant of their interest in the 
right of franchise as well as their desire to have a rep- 
resentative voice in affairs of the church. 

Stran. Woman has no executive ability, is not 
qualified for office, and would be insulted at the polls 
if she should go there for the purpose of voting. 

Spirit. Ipse dixits are not arguments or an- 
swers, and prove nothing. Your reasons are stale 
and unworthy of your manhood; your first position 
is an insult to woman. Why is she wanting in exec- 
utive ability? If she is so, we, the men — her sons 
have made her so. But^we deny it; and refer you to 
Queen Esther; Cleopatra; Catherine, of Russia; the 
Empresses Josephine and Eugenia, of France; Eliza- 
beth and Yictoria, of England; and Mrs. Cobb, of 
Washington, besides thousands of other able women 
of our country. As to their being " insulted at the 
polls," that is all bosh. They are not insulted at the 
theater, opera, circus or fairs, and if they should be 
then kill the man that offered the insult — but there 
is no need of going to the same polls with the 



94 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

men; let a place be prepared on purpose for them 
to vote. 

Stran. Well, sir, you have a right to your opin- 
ion, I to mine, and I am opposed to petticoat govern- 
ment in all its phases, and shall vote against it. 

Spirit. And I have a right to my opinion, and I 
am in favor of woman's right to enjoy the franchise 
of our country, and am opposed to pantaloons monop- 
olizing petticoats, and are willing to share the spoils 
with them, and shall vote for woman's suffrage. 

The whistle of the locomotive called our attention 
to the fact that we were at our destination, and the 
conversation closed. 



WONDERFUL CASE OF HEALING. 

In Council Bluffs, Iowa, dwells Dr. and his 

lady, old residents of the place. The doctor is an 
Atheist; his wife a Catholic. They are well off in 
this world's goods — are considered rich. They have 
five! children, four with them, one in the Summer 
Land. Some four years ago, Jesse, their first born 
son, now thirteen years old, had an attack of fever 
which ended in hip disease, contracting the cords of 
the leg, drawing the foot up to the. back of the thigh, 
causing the thigh to shrink and wither and the leg to 
be useless, and obliging him to walk with crutches 
for over three years. Last winter and spring the hip 
became very troublesome and painful — pus in con- 
siderable quantities forming along the bone from the 
thigh joint nearly to the knee, and in such quantities 



WONDERFUL CASE OF HEALING. 95 

that by placing the fingers on the thigh, pressing 
hard, and moving the hand down to the knee, the pus 
would accumulate before the finger as it approached 
the end of the sack, when the pressure would become 
so great that the pus would force itself back and by 
the fingers, and as it passed, you could hear the gurgle 
as it flowed back to its place. Early last summer, the 
doctor called a counsel of physicians. Their conclu- 
sions were: 

First. Amputation. 

Second. Make an incision, opening the flesh from 
joint to joint, extract the sack and pus, clean the bone, 
and heal by slow and sure process. 

Tliird. To absorb the pus by scientific applica- 
tions, sever the cords at the knee joint, straighten 
the leg by force, leaving the boy to pass through life 
with a stifl^ knee — " and I accepted the third prop- 
osition," said the father, " and offered ten thousand 
dollars to any one who would cure my son, and make 
his leg whole and perfect as the other." 

Thus much the father of Jesse told me. Said the 
mother : 

" With a sad and sorrowful heart I took Jesse up to 
his bed on the evening of the day this counsel took 
place, trembling with fear in view of the trial my boy 
was soon to pass through. While undressing him 
and preparing for bed, I felt a strange influence come 
over me. My hand was strangely moved out and 
toward the thigh of my boy, and the voice of my 
father, who was in his day a good physician, but who 
has been many years in the Spirit World, said to me, 



96 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

' My daughter, heal your son Jesse,' and then my hand 
went out to the thigh of my boy, making several passes 
over it; after which I was told to take the boy out of 
bed and stand him up against the wall. I obeyed, and 
then I noticed that the leg was straight. I stepped a 
little back from him, and bade him come to me. He 
did so. The next morning h'e came down stairs with- 
out his crutches. The leg was well, full and sound ; 
the gurgling pus gone, the stiffened cords limber and 
straight. My boy is healed — is sound and well." 

" Come hither, Jesse." 

And the lad came to us in the perfect use of his 
limbs. The crooked leg is straight; the withered and 
shrunken thigh is full, round, and plump as the well 
one, the gurgling pus gone. There he stood before 
me, the personification of health. We examined the 
boy carefully; we saw him walk, worlj, run, play. 
There was no halt or limp, no complaint, and no 
effects of the. old disease left. There is no difference 
in the size, shape, form or appearance of the legs. 

We turned to the doctor, and said: 

"Are these statements of yourself and your wife 
true, and may we use them?" 

« Yes." 

" What say you, madam?" 

"Yes." 

" Doctor," we asked, " Did you or the physicians in 
counsel have anything to do with the case?" 

"No," sir." 

"Who cured this son of yours, doctor?" 

"My wife, sir; not I." 



WONDERFUL CASE OF HEALING. 97 

"What say you to the spiritual part in this case, 
doctor?" 

" I have only this to say. I did not see the spirit. 
My wife says she sees, hears and feels, at times, what 
you call spirits. I know the child was a helpless inva- 
lid when he went up to bed with his mother. I 
know he came down healed, sound and well. You see 
him as I see him. I did not heal him, nor had any 
living physician anything to do with his case. My 
wife healed him." 

" Madam, did you heal this boy in and of yourself?" 

"No, sir; my father, now a spirit, through me, 
healed this, my son." 

" Have you ever seen or felt the influence of this 
spirit, your father, on any other occasion than this?" 

"Yes, several times. Once he came to me and told 
me to take my sister out cf the convent, and I did so, 
and I attribute, through God, the healing of my son 
to the Spirit World, and myself as the vital or living 
agent used by them." 

"Are there other cases in which you have felt this 
power, and healed the sick?" 

"Yes; I was in Missouri this summer, after the 
healing of my son, and there was in the family with 
whom I was visiting, a child who had falling fits, and 
had had them for several years. While there, this 
child had one of these/ terrible fits. I felt this won- 
derful power with me; took the child in my lap, pass- 
ing my hand over its head and face, and from that 
time to this, the child has had no return of the fits. 
So writes one of his parents." 
7 



98 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRIT CALISM. 

"What do your priests say to these tilings?" 
"They say it is the work of the devil, and that he 

does these things to deceive me and cause the loss of 

my soul." 

" Do you believe them or the spirits — which?" 

" I believe the spirits, and shall continue to believe 

them." 

And in my soul I rejoiced and thanked God that I 

am free and not a Christian, and that I had lived to 

see these things. 

We are prepared to prove the statements in this 

communication. 



BITTEN BY A BLOODHOUND — A MOTHERS MAL- 

EDICT ION — SHOCKING DEATH FROM 

HYDROPHOBIA. 

Has the dog a soul? or, is he immortal? Will some 
minister of God ask Jehovah, and inform us? We 
publish the following extract for the double purpose 
of calling the attention of our readers to the fact, that 
months after the man was bitten, the dog being killed 
at once, the dog repeats himself in the man, leaping 
fences, chasing cattle, barking and growling. In every 
respect the man is sunk, and the dog is dominant. 
Has the dog a soul? 

Second. Did Jehovah God hear the prayer of this 
Christian mother, and send the spirit of the blood- 
hound to haunt this young man to death, and thus 
answer the prayer of this Christian woman in widow- 
ing her daughter? 



DEATH FROM HYDROPHOBIA. 99 

Ttuird. If God can thus be moved (and it seems 
that he can) by the prayer of an infuriated and madly 
insane woman, what are we, the "children of this 
world," to expect from these union prayer meetings 
and Y. M. C. A.? Anything but joy when God 
stoops to earth and unlooses the bloodhounds of im- 
mortality to hunt to the death a trustworthy and 
industrious young man, to establish the fact that he 
is a prayer-hearing God. It is time that there was a 
rebellion on earth, as well as in heaven. 

"A melancholy and in many respects singular death 
from hydrophobia occurred yesterday morning at 
Yonkers, Westchester Co., N. Y., where the horrifying 
circumstances are at present engrossing an unusual 
share of attention. To medical men it is another ter- 
rible illustration of the fact that although the poison 
conveyed in the bite of a rabid animal may remain 
dormant in the system for an indefinite period, its 
power to torture and destroy life does not deteriorate. 

"The victim, Thomas Lamp, who was in his twenty- 
fourth year, was by trade an engineer, and employed 
at a foundry in the village named, throughout which 
he was well known as a trustworthy, industrious man. 
During last winter, while employed in a brewery in a 
neighboring village, deceased was bitten by a ferocious 
bloodhound, owned by his employer, and although 
the wound inflicted by the fangs of the brute was not 
very severe, the animal was at once dispatched, and 
the affected part having rapidly healed, the occurrence 
was soon forgotten by the deceased. On Tuesday of 



100 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

last week, deceased was united in marriage with a 
young woman whose mother had bitterly opposed his 
attentions to her daughter. Having, by the exercise 
of a little strategy, realized their matrimonial wishes, 
the married pair had scarcely reached the domicil of 
the bridegroom when the mother of the bride made 
her appearance, and on her knees, after imploring 
curses and vengeance on the luckless couple, fervently 
prayed that her daughter might be a ' widow in less 
than three months.' 

" It appears that the diabolical imprecations of the 
mother had a most depressing effect on the minds of 
the young people, and on the following day deceased 
evinced symptoms of the awful malady, the seeds of 
which had been sown in his system some months pre- 
viously. Medical skill was resorted to without avail, 
and on Friday the wretched man, in one of his terri- 
ble paroxysms, escaped from his attendants, and after 
reaching some open lots, displayed cat-like agility in 
bounding over fences and otherwise disporting like an 
animal. He was subsequently secured by two of the 
Yonkers police, who found it necessary to handcuff 
the madman on arriving at his home in Brook street. 
Either the sight or sound of water would throw the 
patient into the most agonizing convulsions, and, as 
the malady developed itself, he would bark like a dog, 
snarling and snapping at those who were near him. 
He continued to grow more violent and dangerous, 
so that for many hours before his dissolution it was 
deemed necessary to bind him with strong cords, and 



TESTS FROM SPIRIT LIFE. 101 

while in this condition, his struggles, shrieks and 
howls were truly shocking, until death ensued, as 
above stated." 



CHAPTER XI. 

Tests from Spirit Life — Is it a Delusion and Trick? 

TESTS FROM SPIRIT LIFE. 

E. V. Wilson, of Illinois, now lecturing in this city, 
was invited to give a private seance at the house of 
Mr. H. Stevens, 185 Buffalo street, Buffalo, K Y., on 
Thursday evening, December 10th, 1869. 

There were twenty-one persons present, and fifty- 
three tests given, not including character reading. A 
few of these tests we will write out and send you for 
publication. 

First. R. S. " Will the spirits tell me my religious 
views?" 

Here the medium drew a perfect history of the char- 
acter, habits and manners of Mr. S., which was 
approved both by himself and his brother; then the 
medium said: You are not a Spiritualist, but a com- 
pound of Unitarianism, Universalism, and Compton- 
ianism. You believe in God as a law, man as the 
only being understanding that law. Hence a God 



102 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

unto himself, and his future state dependent on him- 
self so far as his happiness is concerned. Your inci- 
dental life is denned as follows: At twelve years of 
age, you are fleeing for life before an enraged bull; a 
red one, with a white spot in his face. At sixteen, I 
find, or feel (do not see,) you under the influence of 
drowning. There are four of you together. You res- 
cue another from drowning. At twenty-two, you 
make an important move affecting you locally, socially 
and pecuniarily ; it is the first great move in your life. 
At twenty-nine, you are in the midst of operations 
that involve the interests of thousands, and many, 
very many, are dej^endent on you for support. This 
year is very important in your life. At forty-three, 
you are in danger of losing your life. With enemies 
seeking to ruin you, this year begins a long series of 
troubles and enmities that culminated in very great 
trial and bitterness. In 1854, I see you land in the 
evening from a steamer at the foot of Commercial 
street. You are watched, hunted and followed from 
the woods up yonder, in the northwest. They are 
seeking to take your life. They make the attack; but 
by a remarkable effort of yours, you escape. They 
wish to have two thousand dollars. The spirit says 
Geo. L. was one of the prime movers in this. I 
gather these things from the spirit of your brother, 
who has been with you all these long years. Mr. S. 
admitted all that had been told him, and remarked 
that the assassins did not get a chance to use their 
pistols. 

Second. A lady from Canada, an entire stranger, 



TESTS FROM SFTRIT LIFE. 103 

was told of financial trouble, now in law, and the 
home and name of the parties given, and a spirit stand- 
ing by her gave his name as Samuel Zimmerman. 

"All true," said the lady, "and I knew Samuel 
Zimmerman well." 

Third. Mrs. H. " Madam, my first influence with 
you is of terrible power that doubles you up, crushes 
you, and leaves you prostrate, weak and helpless. It 
is in your twenty -fourth year. Madam, there is a spirit 
here, I think she is your mother, and tells me an 
incident that occurred before you were born, and dur- 
ing the period of gestative life. It is in the form of a 
great excitement from fright, caused by the attack of 
a wild animal on your mother. I feel it from you, 
and yet it is ante-natal. You know nothing of this, 
save from hearsay. Again, madam, I find you at 
seventeen in great danger of death from a runaway 
team. I get all of these things from your mother, 
now in the spirit land." 

"All you have said is true," said the lady, "and the 
fright was caused by the attack of a bear on my 
mother a few weeks before I was born." 

Fourth. Mr. and Mrs. C. and daughter. Among 
many incidents given these persons, was one of enmity 
of long standing, the party accurately described, and 
the amount under litigation given. The medium then 
turned to the daughter and said : " My young friend, 
you will not be offended at what I now tell you. 
There stands a spirit with you who says, ' you are my 
daughter.' " He then described the spirit carefully, 
and when he left for his home in the Summer Land. 



104 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"He says to you, my young friend, 'be careful how 
you encourage the acquaintance of a young man that 
you made a few months ago.' " 

The young lady answered, " You are right; my 
mother has been married before, and I am her child 
by the first marriage." 

The other communication was identified also. 

Fifth. Mrs. H. S. " There is with you, madam, a 
fine looking little girl, four years old. Calls you 
aunty, and says she looks like that picture hanging on 
the wall, but is not the original of the picture." 

Mrs. S. replied : " My sister lost a little girl of four 
years old, who looked enough like the picture referred 
to, to be the original for which it was taken." 

Sixth. The medium turned to Mr. G. and said: 
"Your sister says, 'brother, you are thinking of 
exchanging property and getting you a farm of eighty 
acres. Sixty improved, with a good dwelling house; 
barn not so good. Has a fine orchard and good fences. 
Look well to the title. Get an abstract of the original 
purchase, and all will be well.' " 

Mr. G. replied : " Some days ago, a man offered to 
trade a farm to me for some city property, on which 
there are buildings and orchards, with sixty acres of 
improvements. I have lost a sister as the medium 
mentions." 

These are but a few of the many wonderful tests 
given on that evening. 

The medium's style or manner of giving these read- 
ings, is quick, sharp and pointed. Does not stop to 
repeat; seldom, if ever, asks questions. Cautions 



IS IT A DELUSION AND TRICK? 105 

his hearers to ask no questions or tell him anything 
by word, hint, or action. He approaches his subjects, 
asks them one at a time to lay their right hand on his, 
to use no muscular action, then quietly draws his 
hand from under that of his subject and gives his read- 
ings, seldom looking at his subject. When through, 
turns sharp round and asks of his subject yes or no, 
and ninety times out of every hundred, we hear the 
word yes, in answer to his question. 

He is lecturing here with great approval to full 
houses, and his seances are attended by hundreds. He 
writes all day, talks until ten and sometimes twelve 
o'clock at night, is an early riser, and is doing an 
immense amount of work. 

There were twenty -one present at the matinee 
referred to, and our names can be reached by applying 
to the medium, or to Mr. Stevens, 185 Virginia street, 
Buffalo, K Y. 



18 IT A DELUSION AND TRICK f 

May 15th, 1869, the following conversation was 
overheard on the cars, during our journey in "Wiscon- 
sin : " This is all a trick, a delusion of the Devil." 
As our ears caught these words, and being alive to 
any and everything pertaining to " onr master, the 
Devil," we turned our eyes toward the speaker, and 
found the words came from an intelligent looking man 
of some two score years and ten. He held in his hands 
Harper's Illustrated Weekly, and his eyes were fixed 



106 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

on the wood cut, representing Mumler's spirit photo- 
graphs. There were three others beside him, two 
ladies and a gentleman, and it was quite evident that 
they had become excited over the matter. 

" Yes," said lady number one, " I am surprised that 
in a court of justice, such things should be admitted 
as proof." 

Second Lady. But the man was on trial for an 
offense against the law, and should be heard in his 
cause. 

First Gentleman. True, and yet the law ought not 
to recognize a delusion. 

First Lady. They not only recognize a delusion, 
but the result of the trial tends to encourage it. Only 
yesterday, Mrs. P. expressed a desire to get a spirit 
photograph of her dear Flora. Only think of a spirit 
sitting to be photographed. What nonsense! 

Second Gent. I for one do not believe it, and the 
whole crew of mediums and speakers, as well as their 
dupes, should be sent to the workhouse and there 
taught to earn their bread and butter by honest labor, 
— ahem. 

First Lady. I thank you, Doctor, for ycur manly 
protest against the works of Satan. 

[This was drawled out.] 

Second Gentleman. I but do my duty, madam, as 
every true man should. 

Second Lady, speaking to First Gentleman. What 
was that man's name that lectured on Spiritualism in 
Aurora, on Sunday, two' weeks ago, and gave tests and 
read character? 



IS IT A DELUSION AND TRICK? 107 

First Gent. I forget his name. He was evidently 
an imposter. 

Second Lady. I remember his name well ; it was 
Wilson, and they do say that he gave many wonderful 
readings and tests, and among others that he read, was 
Judge P., and he told my aunt that it was true. 

Second Gent. It is all very easy accounted for. 
Prof, Grimes, Dr. Yon Yleck, Prof. McQueen, and S. 
P. Leland tell us how it is done, and this man Wilson, 
no doubt, had visited the cemetery and there learned 
the death of the parties referred to, just as Leland says 
they do. 

Spiritualist, for the first time speaking. Pardon 
me, but may I ask if Judge P. is dead? 

Second Lady. Oh, no; he was living and well, yes- 
terday. 

Spiritualist, turning to the Second Gentleman. 
How then could this man — what did you say his name 
was? "Wilson." Wilson read the character and give 
the history of Judge P. from the tombstones of the 
cemetery ? 

Second Gentleman. Well, if he did not in his case, 
he did in others. 

[This answer was given in confusion.] 

Spiritualist. How do you know that Wilson did so ? 

Second Gentleman. Because it has been proved to 
be so. 

Spiritualist. By whom, when and where? 

Second Gentleman. By Leland, McQueen, Yon 
Yleck and others. 

Spiritualist. Are these men truthful and reliable? 



108 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Second Gentleman. They are said to be truthful. 

Spiritualist. Are they? Suppose a man should 
testify against you in a law suit, and you knew that he 
was paid one hundred dollars for his testimony; and 
more, that he had confessed himself a common liar — 
would you accept his testimony? Would you not as a 
judge exclude him, and would you as a Christian and 
honest man ask such a being to testify against your 
neighbor ? 

Second Gentleman. No, I frankly confess I could 
not and would not. 

Spiritualist. Well, sir, such is the character of 
Leland, and here is a copy of a libel (producing it), he 
signed to save himself from greater trouble. Grimes 
is an Infidel, and an avowed enemy of Spiritualism, 
and cares not a cent for church, Spiritualism or .Relig- 
ion, save as he is paid to abuse the one or the other. 
McQueen is a State prison bird, and Yon Vleck is a 
worthless villain. 

Second Gentleman. Can you prove what you say, 
sir? 

Spiritualist. Yes ; and more. I can prove that the 
ministers and churches knew the character of these 
men when they hired them to abuse Spiritualism. 

First Gentleman. Do you mean that our Christian 
churches paid these men a price for their expose of 
Spiritualism? 

Spiritualist. Yes, and more; that the ministers of 
the gospel took them into their churches and families, 
and we can prove that the Christians of Monmouth, 
Illinois, furnished Leland money to come there, and 



IS IT A DELUSION AND TRICK? 109 

that, too, when they knew that he was a common liar ; 
and the common law says that the party concealing a 
crime or criminal, or conniving at crime, or receiving 
a criminal into his house, is guilty of an offense against 
the peace, if not a criminal. Again, I have heard you 
call the Mumler photograph a delusion. May I ask, 
is that a delusion which is capable of proof? 

Second Gentleman. ~No ; by no manner of means. 

Spiritualist. Yery well, then, Mumler's case being 
proved in a court of justice, or the charge against him 
not being sustained, and he being acquitted, does it 
follow that he is an imposter, or spirit photography a 
delusion ? 

First Gentleman. But Kockwood says that he can 
counterfeit the whole thing, and did it, too. 

Spiritualist. True; but did that disprove the gen- 
uine ? by no means. Again : Mr. Gilmore testifies that 
he detected Eockwood every time, and failed to detect 
Mumler. Again: wherever there is a counterfeit, it 
proves that there is a genuine somewhere; hence, Rock- 
wood being the author of the counterfeit picture, Mum- 
ler's must be the genuine; Leland, Yon Yleck, and 
McQueen being the counterfeits, West, Wilson, and 
Mumler must be the genuine authors that these rascals 
are imitating. 

First Gentleman. Are you a Spiritualist ? 

Spiritualist. Yes, sir; I am proud to say that I 
am, and I would now like to parallel a case for your 
consideration. Will you listen to it? 

Both Gentleman. Yes; and nothing would please 
us better. 



110 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Spiritualist. Yery well. We will suppose that A. 
and B. are brothers, and agreed in everything, socially 
and educationally. Both go to a revival meeting. A. 
gets religion and B. does not. A. feels the Holy Spirit 
and B. does not. A. goes by himself, kneels down to 
pray at the foot of a great tree, and then in great agony 
asks the Holy Spirit to come to his help. After a 
while he feels relief, and all at once he is filled with 
joy. He has met with a change. He then hears a 
voice saying, " Get thee up, go and preach my gospel 
to all the world." He comes before the world, and on 
this testimony is accepted as a minister of Christ, and 
you never hear the testimony doubted. B. goes before 
the world; makes just as good a prayer, preaches a 
better sermon ; confesses to have heard the voice of 
the Holy Spirit ; continues two or three years to preach 
the gospel of Christ acceptably, and then goes back 
upon Christianity, and denies it all ; comes out and 
exposes religion; says that he is a ventriloquist, 
and made it all, therefore religion is a humbug, and 
A. an imposter; and B. is hired by the Infidels and 
Spiritualists to expose religion. Now, sir, this is 
the position I call on you to accept — are you 
willing to set aside the religion of the age, on B.'s 
testimony? 

All responded: By no means. 

Spiritualist. Yery well, why should Spiritualism 
be condemned on corresponding testimony? 

"Pardon me, madam," turning to Second Lady; 
"you live far from here?" 

" Yes, some four hundred miles." 



IS IT A DELUSION AND TRICK? Ill 

" It would be impossible for me to know your his- 
tory." 

" I think so." 

" Will you permit me to give you a spirit commu- 
nication?" 

" O do, please, will you ? " 

" We will try." We then said, " there is a beautiful 
little girl here. She would be nine years old if living 
now. She has been in the Spirit World four years. 
She left you in the fall of the year, you called her 
Yiolet; and she says, 'Mamma, do not weep, Yiolet 
is with you, and you dreamed that you were play- 
ing with me last night, and then I kissed you, and 
you awakened from your sleep, and your dream 
was over, but you cried, ' Yiolet, my Yiolet, sweet 
blossom of my young life, come to me in dream with 
your angel love, and bless me,' and mamma, you 
thought it was a dream.' " The little angel vanished 
from my sight, and the woman wept, saying through 
her tears, prayerfully, " Father, care for my little one, 
my Yiolet so tender, so young, and yet so beautiful; 
and I thank Thee, O my Heavenly Father, for this great 
and unspeakable joy, for I know of such as my Yiolet 
'is the kingdom of Heaven.'" Then turning to the 
Spiritualist, " It is all true that you have said," and the 
medium wept, saying, " do not think our Spiritualism 
all a delusion." 

Lady. The angels are near us, and sometimes we 
may grieve them, and it is such a joy to know that 
they are with us. 

The whistle's shrill call rolled back from the 



112 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

• 

engine throughout the evening air, warning as that 
our depot was at hand. Bidding them good bye, 
we arose to leave. "Who are you?" asked the lady. 
We turned to her and said, "E. Y. Wilson." And 
they were exceedingly astonished. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Tests at Racine, Madison and Reedsburgn, Wisconsin. 

TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 

June 15th, 1869, found us gliding swiftly over the 
iron rails of the M. & C. R. R. A pleasant ride of three 
hours brought us to the quiet and beautiful city of 
Racine, Wisconsin, situated on the shores of Lake 
Michigan, twenty-five miles south of Milwaukee. We 
lectured here three times to full houses, and held one 
seance, giving many fine tests and readings of char- 
acter, in public as well as in private. 

At our first lecture, we gave one reading of char- 
acter of a man unknown to us, which was affirmed as 
remarkably correct. We saw the changes that took 
place with him, pointing out the data which occurred 
when he was fourteen and twenty-three years old. We 
then stated that, " twelve years ago you had a financial 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 113 

trouble that came near ruining you." We then de- 
scribed the man that was the cause of it, stating, " We 
get these facts and statements from your sister who is 
a spirit, and with you," describing her minutely. 

SECOND NIGHT. 

First. Read the character of Dr. W., and saw by 
him the spirit of a young man who was described 
minutely, and when he died, as well as his age. Iden- 
tified. 

Second. We saw by and with Mrs. , the influ- 
ence of discord and jealousy with great inharmony, 
describing the person and giving the time; which 
proved correct. 

TJiird. We saw by a man, the spirits of two little 
boys who were drowned, fully describing them. 

Fourth. We saw in the life of a lady present the 
incidents and facts that took place when she was 
twenty-two years old, describing them very accurately. 
Acknowledged correct. 

THIRD AFTERNOON AND EVENING. 

First. We saw by a stranger, the spirit of his 
sister, who left this life long ago, for her home in the 
Spirit World. This sister said to him subsequently, 
" All is well with the lad ; they say he is alive and you 
will hear from him." 

" That information is the object of my visit here," 
said the man. 

Second. We saw by a lady, name unknown, the 
8 



114: THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

spirit of her sister, gave her age at the time of death 
and when ; which were identified. 

Third. Crossing the room, we spoke to a lady 
saying, " There is with you a beautiful little girl," 
describing her. "She is your daughter. There is 
another, the spirit of a man, but is unwilling to be 
described or fully seen. Why, we do not know." 

" It is my daughter," said the lady, " and I under- 
stand why the other will not present himself." 

Fourth. To a young man, we said, " There is with 
you a young man," giving age, time of death, and how; 
fully describing him. He presented himself in a first 
corporal's uniform. Fully identified. 

Fifth. We turned to a lady, and said, " May we 
tell what we see with you?" 

" Yes." 

" There is over your head a broken ring. The sym- 
bol refers to an incident that took place when you 
were seventeen years of age. One-half of the ring 
represents you, and the other half, one that is not with 
you now." We then fully described the one repre- 
senting the other half of the ring, and what became 
of him. 

" It is all true," said the lady, sharply, " but I do 
not know what they want to bring up those old things 
for — they might let by-gones be." 

Sixth. We saw, by a prominent citizen, the circum- 
stances and incidents of five years ago, fully describing 
them. 

" Yes," said the man, " that is the oil affair, and is 
correct." 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 115 

Seventh. We saw, by the sheriff of the county, a 
drowning scene and the date. Fully identified. 

Eighth. We turned to a young lady and fully de- 
scribed a place, the time, the parties, and what took 
place. Identified. 

Ninth. We turned to Mr. S., saying, "There is 
with you the spirit of your sister, and with her, your 
son and daughter, all in the Spirit World," describing 
them. Fully identified. 

Tenth. We saw by a woman, her son and brother; 
describing them. 

All of the above statements were fully identified, 
and are but few, of the many that we gave in Racine. In 
no case was the reading of character denied. 

The Spiritualists of Racine are alive and thriving. 
Among these earnest workers, we may mention the 
following names who ministered to our wants: The 
Palmeters, the Stebbins, the Waits, the Burgesses, the 
Chamberlains, the Trowbridges, and Sister Pauline 
Roberts — honest and faithful workers. They hold 
regular meetings on Sunday, in the court house, with 
fair attendance. Speaking, usually, by Brother Trow- 
bridge, who is a worthy advocate of our gospel. Long 
may they flourish and prosper. 

Friday, June 18th, found us at Hve o'clock, p. m., in 
Madison, at the quiet home of Lyman C. Draper, Esq., 
a true man, scholar and historian. We lectured at 
night to a small audience, one hundred and fifty in 
number, in the City Hall. Our subject, " Erne Postu- 
lates on the Bible." Of what we said, saw and de- 



116 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

scribed, we refer our readers to the following clipped 
from the Wisconsin /State Journal of June 19th: 

" E. V. Wilson, of Illinois, spoke in the City Hall 
last evening, to Spiritualists and others, interested in 
the peculiar phenomena. His subject was, "Nine 
Postulates on the Bible," briefly stated as follows: 

"First. Man became like God after the fall — not 
before. 

"Second. That Adam was expelled from the garden 
lest he might become immortal. 

" Third. That the ' curse of Cain' was really a 
blessing. 

"Fourth. That the Bible sustains the claim that 
disembodied spirits return to earth and identify them- 
selves to their former friends and relatives. 

"Fifth. That Jesus was not God, and did not claim 
to be. 

" Sixth. That Christ was a disembodied spirit con- 
trolling Jesus, as a medium; this control beginning 
at the baptism of John. 

" Seventh. That the Divine authenticity claimed for 
the Bible, is not warranted by the teachings of the 
Bible. 

"Eighth. That Modern Spiritualism is the key to 
all revelation. 

"Ninth. That the spiritual phenomena of the Bible, 
form the basis of the Christian religion. 

" Mr. Wilson undertook to demonstrate these propo- 
sitions with argument and phenomena. 

"To illustrate, he turned to a stranger and said, 
' There stands by you a spirit representing herself as 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 117 

a beautiful little girl; says she passed away when 
three years old; is now a full grown woman in Spirit 
Land; says she is your sister;' describing the vision 
very minutely. The gentleman (Mr. Burr) acknowl- 
eged the relation, and recognized the spirit. 

" Mr. Wilson then delineated the characters of three 
strangers in the audience, which were fully accepted 
by the subjects, and indorsed by their friends. One 
of these gentlemen was, Hon. E. B. Dean, of this city. 

" During these tests, Mr. Wilson turned to a gentle- 
man, and said, ' There stands by you a spirit in the 
uniform of a Federal Captain; knew you before he 
entered the service; was killed in 1863, before Vicks- 
burg;' then describing the Captain minutely. Fully 
identified. 

"Again: Saw, and described, the spirit of the late 
Judge Wyram Knowlton; gave the name; fully iden- 
tified by many present. 

" Saw, and described a spirit, purporting to be the 
late Governor Harvay, a stranger to the medium. With 
some discrepancies, the description was considered 
good. The apparition made the strange statement 
that he did not fall into the river from the boat, as 
was believed, but was pushed in, designedly, by an 



Saturday, June 19, we lectured at night to a good 
audience, on "Influences." Gave the following tests: 

There is here, the spirit of a lawyer, who lived 
in this city several years ago, and says he died 
in the insane asylum, five years ago. We de- 



118 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

scribed him as a spare man, well built, pale, very 
sallow, about fi.Ye feet ten inches in height, brown 
hair, oval features, a little dandyfied, wearing a 
dress coat, plug hat ; carries a small cane, and 
otherwise minutely describing him. We then pointed 
out several gentlemen that he identified. There 
was some quibbling over the identity, when the 
spirit said, " I was compelled to leave my house in 
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, some years before my death; 
came here; was here in 1859, '60 and '61; returned to 
Sheboygan ; became insane ; was sent to the Lunatic 
Asylum, and died there; and many exclaimed, " It is 
Mr. Hiller." One man, Mr. Hamilton, said, " I knew 
him well, and it is as accurate as I could describe him." 
We then left the platform, and went among the 
audience, being attracted to a group of gentlemen of 
marked intellectual appearance. They were positive, 
highly-cultured men. We read the character of two 
of them ; gave several incidents in their lives, as well 
as marked traits of character, with whom we found 
the spirit of Hiller. There was a good deal of doubt 
on their part as to the identity and incidents, as well 
as spirits seen, and related as with, and belonging to" 
them. The traits of character were accepted. Tha 
incidents rejected, in most cases. In our own estima- 
tion, we think we failed with these men ; and from the 
fact, that their positive natures conflicted with our 
own. We went to them, determined to give them 
tests ; and in this failure, we see clearly and fully the de- 
velopment of law, and that the medium must negative 
himself and depend on the law and the spirit, or fail. 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 119 

This affair created considerable feeling in the 
audience on the part of these gentlemen, and 
ourself. The whole thing was conducted in a spirit 
of good feeling and manly deportment. We learned 
subsequently, from others, that many of the points 
and dates, were identified by those who knew these 
gentlemen; but, it was not the testimony of the gen- 
tlemen referred to; hence, not acceptable to them. 
Our meeting closed for the day, with the best of feel- 
ings, and all went to their homes well satisfied. 

Sunday, June 20, we lectured to large and intelli- 
gent audiences, at two o'clock, and at a quarter before 
eight o'clock, p. m., the afternoon subject being, " Why 
am I a Spiritualist? " The evening subject, " The Law 
and the Testimony." 

During the day, we gave many fine tests and read- 
ings. 

First. We saw a man, when a boy, thrown from 
his horse, and nearly killed; you are ten years of age, 
describing the horse fully. Subsequently, the man 
told us we were right in every particular, save one. 
You say the horse was a dark bay, which is not the 
case ; he was a dark iron-gray. 

Second. By a man, who was trying to prove that 
these things seen and recognized by mediums, " was 
our double, or the mind wave." We saw him in a 
boat with two others, and the boat came near swamp- 
ing, thus endangering their lives. Repeating this to 
him, he said, u I have no memory of any such thing." 
We then repeated again what we saw, giving the time 



120 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

and describing the place minutely. He then said, " It 
is correct, and yon have described the place with mar- 
velous accuracy." We asked, " Where now is your 
' double or wave mind?'" "I cannot tell," he 
replied. 

Third. We saw from the platform, and at a distance 
of twenty-five feet, by a lady, the spirit of a woman 
holding in her hand a little box, she said, " This is for 

this woman, and she is my own dear, dear ," (here 

we lost the sentence,) but we fully described the spirit, 
which was identified by the lady's mother, who was 
present. 

Fourth. We pointed to a lady, saying, you are 
suffering thus and so, these troubles beginning eleven 
years ago ; giving a full diagnosis of her complaint. 

" You are correct," said the lady. 

Many other public tests we gave during the day and 
evening, which were fully identified. What is it? 

One or two private tests are worthy of a place here. 

We saw a beautiful little boy with Mr. C. and Mr. 
D., describing him very accurately, giving his age. 
He proved to be Mr. C.'s nephew. 

Sitting in the parlor of L. 0. D.'s farm house, we 
heard a voice say, " Helen is here ; tell them Helen is 
here." One said, "Who is this Helen?" We then 
saw in the midst of a bright band of spirit girls, the 
one who called herself Helen, and thus she said : 

" We come to greet thee, mother, from our home 
divine; from the land of flowers, we come to meet 
thee. Our love continues free and unabated toward 
those on earth, with whom we once were mated. Do 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 121 

not mourn us as lost, dear friends, for we are not dead, 
nay, nor far from you. 

" Father, mother, I greet thee from the Summer 
Land; greet you in company with my angel band of 
mates, — these, my companions and I, come to you with 
glad tidings of great joy, testifying that I still live,- — 
live to bless you, to call you ever by the sweet, endear- 
ing names of father and mother. 

"And now in joy, and in song, with my angel sisters, 
I take my leave, away to our arbors of love, in the 
midst of trailing vines and flowers, whose odor fills 
the Summer Land. To our beautiful homes, we go 
awaiting thy coming — dear father, mother, we wait 
your coming. — Helen." 

Note. The above was spoken in part to the parents 
of this spirit at the time her name was given, and has 
been repeated to us since. We having seen her and 
heard her in the spirit twice. And thus our work 
ended in Madison, the capital of Wisconsin. 

Tuesday, June 22, found us in Reedsburg, Sauk 
county, before a large and skeptical audience. We 
spoke there four times in two days, to full houses and 
attentive listeners, giving many fine tests of spirit 
life, and facts in the lives of individuals present. 

Before our coming, the friends of Spiritualism asked 
for, and obtained the use of the basement of the K". 
S. Presbyterian church. 

The officers of the church informed Mr. Montross 
that he could not have the use of the same, for the 
reason that there was to be a conference of ministers 



122 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

of the district on the very days we were to have the 
use of the building, and that this meeting had been 
appointed long before our engaging the house, and 
that they, the officers, had overlooked the fact; hence, 
we could not have the use of the house. This upset 
our plan, and looked very much like a " sell," but 
nothing daunted, our friends came to the rescue, and 
by dint of perseverance, secured the postoffice hall in 
which to hold our meetings. A short time before our 
meeting came off, one of the leading men in the church 
went to the authorities, and suggested that the church 
put off their meeting one day and that Wilson speak 
twice on the first day, and that many persons who 
wanted to go to both meetings would be accommodated. 

With a contemptuous expression of face, with sneer 
and curl of lips, the reply came, " We shall not post- 
pone — let the spirits look to themselves," (or words to 
that effect.) This made the theological " nigger in the 
fence " show his teeth, and the wager of battle was 
accepted. 

"Very well," said the gentleman, "you can do as 
you like. For one, I, and my family, will go and hear 
Wilson." 

Things looked a little squally. One Spiritualist and 
medium with his spirits, " demons," according to the 
church, pitted against six or seven ministers and their 
Holy Spirit, backed by the authority of the church, to 
wrestle for the victory in a little town of eight hun- 
dred inhabitants. When the battle commenced, mat- 
ters stood about thus: 

Six ministers against one medium ; seven hundred 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 123 

and fifty Christians and unbelievers backed by public 
opinion, against forty or fifty Spiritualists and sym- 
pathizers. They took up position in the basement of 
the church: we, in the upper part of the postoffice. 
Each contending party were in position at 2 o'clock, 
p. m., and began shelling the town. They fired whole 
broadsides at a time of prayers, psalms and holy bul- 
lets of faith; fast and thick they fell. "While from 
our side, we kept up a continuous flow of historical 
Bible grape, scientific canister, and spiritual bomb- 
shells, charged with the names, dates, incidents and 
facts of, and in the lives of those who were present, as 
well as of those who had passed away. Kapidly their 
ranks were thinned, and ours increased. Our scouts 
reported that at one time, the enemy was reduced to 
six officers and three men, and one or two nurses. 
Thus, the battle continued, until Wednesday evening, 
when Balaam's animal, one Peter Burns, burning with 
a desire to immortalize himself, came to the rescue, 
and demanded of us to be heard. We politely handed 
him over to our hearers, who decided he should stop 
that braying. Turning toward the audience, he 
roundly abused them for stifling public opinion, (?) 
being his individual self. 

Things began to look serious, and the cry came 
from every quarter, " put him out," " out with him," 
several springing to their feet, when, lo! the arm of 
justice interfered, and Peter Burns "petered," and 
peace dwelt again in our midst. The victory was ours, 
with a house full of " freedom's sons and daughters," 
willing captives to our merciful and glorious gospel of 



124: THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

joy and heaven for all, and sorrow and hell for none; 
our victory complete, our success grand, with stamps 
enough on hand at the close of the seven day's fight, 
to meet all expenses, and no one hurt save Peter 
Burns, and he but slightly. 

Amidst the greetings of all, and the shaking of 
hands — with the request repeated by many, "Come 
again," — we left for our home. 

There are good and true men and women in Eeeds- 
burg, and we carry with us sweet memories of pleasant 
hours spent in the quiet and genial home of our host 
and his excellent lady, Mr. and Mrs. Young. Long 
may they live to enjoy their happy home. 

God is good; the spirits true and faithful, and 
angels are our helpers. 

The following tests were given in public at Keeds- 
burg, Wisconsin : 

First. Mr. Weaver; we see you in your sixteenth 
year, or rather we are told that in your sixteenth, you 
rescued a young friend from drowning; this is posi- 
tive. It is a boy. Thirteen years ago, you were in 
financial trouble, caused by two parties. We then 
described one of them minutely, observing that he 
was a villain from head to heart. We get this from 
your sister; describing her carefully. 

"Do you know anything about what he has told 
you, Mr. Weaver?" asked several, at the same time. 

" Yes, it is correct," and as he has stated. 

Second. Read the character of one of the audience, 
very carefully. Fully identified. 



TEN DAYS IN WISCONSIN. 125 

Third. Saw, by a person, the spirits of the father 
and mother, describing them very carefully. Fully 
recognized. 

Fourth. Read the character of Messrs. McR. and 
W., calling attention comparatively to the sharp points 
in each. This reading created a good deal of amuse- 
ment, and was fully identified by all that knew them, 
as well as by themselves. Heard the sister of Mr. W. 
say that she was present, but did not see her, Mr. D. 
stating, " I have lost a sister." 

Fifth. With Dr. Danforth, saw a spirit, who said, 
"I am cousin Mary, and passed away at fifteen." We 
then gave a full description of her. 

" I lost a cousin of the age and description given." 
said Mr. W., " and her name was Mary." 

We then gave four prominent points or dates in his 
life, all of which he fully identified. 

Sixth. We heard a spirit say "Julia is here; I 
am Julia." 

We said, let the audience give no sign of recogni- 
tion, and we will find the relative of this spirit in 
the audience. Soon we saw a light settle around the 
head of a lady, and in the light, the face and name 
of Julia. We pointed out the lady, described the 
face; gave the name; all of which was identified by 
the lady. 

Seventh. Saw, by Mr. A. , a beautiful spirit 

boy, who came to him, put his hand on the knee of 
Mr. A., saying, " Papa, my papa." 

We said, " Sir^ this boy died very young, when a 
babe." 



126 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" Yes," said Mr. A., " I lost a little boy, six months 
old, some years ago.'' 

Eighth. Saw, by Mr. Ellenwood, the spirit of an 
officer of the army, a second lieutenant; entered the 
army as such; was promoted; died in the service; 
knew you well and is now often about you as a spirit. 
Fully identified. 

Ninth. We saw by this man, the spirits of an 
Indian and a white man, describing each carefully; 
the one speaks, and the other doctors through this man, 
whose name is Marsh, and he is a medium; all of 
which proved correct. 

Many other readings and tests were given in public, 
and identified. 

The following were given in private, and are good 
proofs of Spirit Life: 

First. On entering the house of Mr. Samuel Mon- 
tross, we saw by Mrs. M., a spirit, who said, " Sally 
Ann, Isaiah Williams is here with you. Did you 
ever know him?" 

" No, I never knew any person by that name, and 
my name is not Sally Ann. There is, however, one 
by the name of Sally Ann in the house, and we know 
a man by the name of Williams, but not Isaiah." 

Second. On entering the apartments of Mr. Enos 
Montross, we were introduced to his family; one his 
adopted daughter. When we took her hand in ours, 
we said, here is one who has fine medium ship, and 
may become a fine writing and seeing medium. It 
proved true, and she is a fine medium. 

Third. While at Mr. Young's, we saw by his wife, 



MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY. 127 

the spirit of her father, and entered into a minute 
delineation of his form and features, age and char- 
acter. Mr. and Mrs. Young criticised the description 
sharply, differing with us in reference to the forehead, 
nose, chin and mouth. We reviewed the features, 
affirming our position, saying, if you have a photo- 
graph of him in the house, we can identify it. Mrs. 
Young then brought into the room, three albums, 
handing one to her husband, and holding one out to 
us, unopened. "His photograph is not in this; give 
us the other," we said. We took it, opened it, and 
pointed out his photograph. They then yielded the 
point. 

Thus, are the spirits continually pushing the facts 
of another life upon us. 

" They that believe on me, these signs shall follow 
them." Christians, what are the signs? 



CHAPTER XIII. 

A Conversation with Elder Tanner, Mormon, of Salt Lake City, 
in 1869 — A Talk with a Minister. 

MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY. 

We were drinking water at the well of Brother 
G , of Monroe, Wis., on Sunday, Aug. 1, 1869, 



128 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

when there came to the well two men (not angels), 
who inquired if Mr. G was at home. We an- 
swered " No." Offering them a drink of water, they 
partook freely; after which, one of them introduced 
the other as Mr. Tanner, of Salt Lake City. 

Tanner. I am two thousand miles from home; 
have come twelve miles to hear you lecture to-day. I 
do not deny Spiritualism, for I read of it in the Bible. 
However, I know but little about it, hence I called to 
see you. 

Spiritualist. I thank you. Walk in. 

So we entered the house, and were seated; after 
which, the following conversation took place: 

S. So you are a Mormon, and an Elder? 

T. Yes ; I am a Mormon, and an Elder. 

/S. Are you on a mission for the Saints ? 

T. No; I am on a visit here to the friends of my 
wife, who is with me. This man's wife is my wife's 
sister. 

He pointed to the gentleman by his side. 

After many questions and answers, on every subject 
pertaining to Mormonism, we asked, pointedly, if he 
was willing to talk on polygamy. 

T. Yes, sir; and will give you correct answers. 

S. Do you endorse polygamy, yourself ? 

T. Yes ; it is right, and we practice it. 

8. How many wives have you? 

T. I have four wives with whom I am living when 
at home. 

S. Are they with you now? 

T. No; only one. 



MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY. 129 

8. Were the rest of tliem willing for this one to 
come with yon? 

T. Yes; and desirous she should come. 

8. Have you a favorite among them ; or do you 
love them all as one woman. 

T. My first wife takes precedence of the others, 
and I think the most of her. 

8. How do you live — all under one roof together, 
as one family? 

T. No; not as one family, but under the same 
roof; two of them live together in one apartment, 
and two of them live separately, in rooms by them- 
selves. 

8. Are your women quiet and passive, complying 
with your wish and will? Have you any trouble with 
them? , 

T. Oh ! the usual differences of opinion, but noth- 
ing serious. 

8. Suppose your wives, or any one of them, get 
dissatisfied, and wish to leave you ; what then ? 

T. I give her a bill of divorce, and she is free 
to go. 

8. Can she be accepted by another man, and taken 
in honor, according to your customs, as his wife, and 
retain her position in society? 

T. Yes ; and does so, too. 

8. Have any of your wives left you?'' 

T. Yes ; one of them. 

8. What did you do in her case? And, if she had 
children, what was done with them? Who owns the 
children ? 

9 



130 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

T. I gave her a bill. She had one child, and took 
it with her, she being capable of taking care of the 
child. Where they are not capable of taking care of 
the child, then the man retains the same. This woman 
is married again. 

jS. Will not this system of polygamy tend to im- 
morality and prostitution? 

T. By no means — but the reverse. There are 
no prostitutes in Salt Lake City or Utah. Such a 
thing as a house of ill-fame is not known in our 
country. 

S. But is there any jealousies, heart-burnings, or 
dissatisfactions, with your wives, in regard to the 
society of the man or husband? 

T. Yes ; but we manage that without any trouble. 
We teach them to know that this course is for our 
mutual good. 

S. Suppose wife ~No. 1 wants your company and 
society at the time you desire to be with No. 2 — wife 
~No. 3 also claiming you, as her property, for the time 
being — what then? 

T. We reason with them, and show them that it is 
best to be governed by our judgment. The difficulty 
is easily managed. 

S. How many children have you by these wives 
of yours? 

T. Sixteen ; and sixteen grandchildren. 

8. Are your daughters married and living under 
the same system; and do you countenance it? 

T. They are married under our system, and we 
countenance it; and I, for one, teach it, by encourag- 



MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY. 131 

ing legitimate polygamy. We also encourage early 
marriage. 

S. Are your women permitted the same liberty 
with men that you take with women? 

T. We take no unlawful liberties. 

S. We beg your pardon. Are your women per- 
mitted to have as many husbands as you have wives? 

T. No; they are not. 

8. Why? 

T. Because we think it is not best ; besides, they 
do not desire to have more than one man, and feel and 
know that our system is better calculated to maintain 
a sound, healthy physical and mental condition than 
yours. Your women are prematurely old, and die 
early in life. Again, foeticides are rife in fashionable 
society, but never with us. 

S. Suppose one of your wives should be taken in 
adultery, what would be the results to her? what her 
punishment? 

T. She would be dealt with according to law, and 
punished for her offense. 

S. And the man, if taken in the act of adultery; 
what of him? 

T. Punished by a swift and sure punishment. 
We have no such cases, however. 

/8. Have you given woman any voice in this mat- 
ter of plurality of wives, or polygamy ? 

T. We compel no woman to become sealed to us. 

S. What do you mean by " sealed to. us "? 

T. When a woman is set apart, by the authority 
of our Government, as the wife of any one man. 



132 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

/S. In such cases, do you consult the friends, guar- 
dian, or parents, if a minor? 

T. Yes; always. No woman is taken to our 
homes against her will, or just opposition of friends. 

S. I have been informed to the contrary, by those 
who have left your ranks. 

T. That may be. But, sir, you must remember 
that those who informed you are renegades. Traitors 
are always bitter in your own ranks. Who are so bit- 
ter as those who go over to the enemy. 

jS. Suppose Brigham Young should receive a rev- 
elation to do away with polygamy; what would be 
the result? 

T. There is no supposition about it. Polygamy 
will continue; it is one of the fixed institutions of 
Mormonism, and we shall come into the Union of the 
States with polygamy. 

/8. Did Joseph Smith endorse polygamy? 

T. Yes; and received a revelation to that effect. 

S. His sons deny it. 

T. It makes no difference what they deny. I 
knew Joseph Smith well, and know that he endorsed 
polygamy. 

S. How long have you been a Mormon ? 

T. Since Mormonism was a year and five months 
organized. I was with them in Kirtland, Ohio, Mis- 
souri, Illinois, and went with them to the plains. 

S. And you are firm in your conviction that you 
are right; that Mormonism is a fixture in America, 
and will continue? 

T. I am ; and I know that we are right ! 



MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY. 133 

JS. I frankly say to yon, sir, that from all I have 
read and heard of Mormonism, and from what yon 
have said to-day, that I am an unbeliever in the doc- 
trines, teachings, and practices, of polygamy; and, 
further, that it is a system of oppression, on the part 
of man, against woman. Now, sir, I am a Spirit- 
ualist, and frankly say to you, I do not believe in your 
system, and, at the same time, confess that I know 
nothing about your system, or the social workings of 
polygamy; and, with this frank statement, will you, 
as an Elder, and in authority, permit me to teach my 
views, criticise yours, examine into its system and 
workings, as I examine and criticise other denomina- 
tions in this part of the country? What say you, for 
I may cross the plains next summer? 

T. I will guarantee you perfect freedom of speech; 
you shall speak in our halls, or tabernacles ; you shall 
be my guest, and a welcome one; and I wish you to 
come. 

Thus ended our conversation with Elder Tanner. 
It was in the presence of several witnesses — men and 
women. The Elder was under a sharp, running cross- 
fire, and he stood it well — perfectly cool, all through 
the conversation, manifesting that calm, gentlemanly 
conduct that said, in so many words, " I am master of 
my position." "We dare not attack him from the Bible 
standpoint, for the Bible sustains polygamy ; but we 
do not, though he does. 

The conversation lasted full two hours. We have 
endeavored to follow the conversation between us, not 
touching the side fires. We wish, however, we had a 



134 THE TKDTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

verbatim report of all that was said, by all the parties 
that were present. 

For instance: One lady, of culture and brains, came 
in from another room, and, in great excitement, and 
With a vim, said: " I have come into this room to see 
a man that has four wives, and dares to say so." 

Said the Mormon, very calmly, "I am the man; 
you now see me." 

" It 's well for you that I ain't one of your wives, I 
can tell you that; for, if I were, I would make it too 
warm for you," said the woman. 

"We would have no trouble; and I would win you 
over to respect and love me, by kindness," said the 
Mormon. 

" Not with your affections divided with others," 
said the woman. 

We turned our eyes toward an open door, and there 
We witnessed that which would have made Hogarth 
shout for joy, for there we saw a young miss, with 
mind intent on vengeance dire, in defiant attitude, 
standing; her eyes sparkling with resentment; lips 
firm, compressed, white and thin; with .strong resolve 
to resent this monstrous sin, her tiny fingers working 
with vengeance deep into the palms of her snow-white 
hands; she stood erect, a gentle Amazon, ready to 
meet, in domestic strife, the oppressor of her sex. It 
was a beautiful sight — this human, living and breath- 
ing statuary, that spoke louder than words, " Mortal 
man, beware; for, with undivided love, I am gentle as 
a lamb, but if betrayed, take care." 

After the Elder had left, we asked our young friend 



A TALK WITH A MINISTER. 135 

what she thought of the man with four wives, and her 
answer was : " If I were one of them, there would be 
a funeral!" 

From all we saw and heard, on both sides, we agree 
with our fair, young friend. 

Surely, readers, we are approaching a crisis on this 
question of polygamy. The demands of ninety thou- 
sand people are not to be winked at, or treated lightly. 
In ten years from this time, there will be a fearful 
tragedy enacted on the plains of Utah, and Mormon- 
ism will be crushed out in blood, or become a fixture 
in the land. Which shall it be? 



A TALK WITH A MINISTER. 

The following conversation took place in 1869, at 

B , Wisconsin, between the Eev. Mr. H. and the 

writer: 

W. Mr. H., we would like to ask a few questions 
of* you, in regard to your religious views. Will you 
permit us to do so? 

H. Most certainly; and will give you candid an- 
swers. 

W. Thank you. What is your guide in religious 
matters; reason, faith, or the Bible? 

H. The Bible is our only guide ; by it we must 
walk. 

W. Are we not to exercise our reason on these 
things? Have we no right to think? 

H. I cannot exercise my reasoning powers. I 



136 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

must accept the Bible, through faith, as the revealed 
word of God and his Christ. 

W. But I am so constituted that I have no faith; 
I never had. God has given me reason ; shall I exer- 
cise it? 

H. No; not in things pertaining to God. 

W. But how am I to know what pertains to God, 
unless I exercise my reasoning faculties? 

H. We must take the Bible and abide by it. 
W. But here are the Catholics — no mean power; 
they condemn the Protestants, as well as the King 
James version of the Bible. You, as a Protestant, 
condemn the Catholics and their version of the Holy 
Scriptures. Here is an exercise of reason. Which 
of you are right? 

H. We are not so far apart as you think. We be- 
lieve in one thing, and that is the divinity of Christ, 
and in the atonement — the power of the blood of the 
Lamb to save. 

W. Then why not harmonize, and worship under 
one system of theology? 

H. For the reason that we do not agree on church 
government, and the manner of the communion of 
the Lord's supper. 

W. Then you do exercise your reason in regard to 
the meaning of the Bible? 

H. No; not in regard to the authenticity of the 
Bible, but in the meaning of the Bible. 

W. Is not that reason? and are you not reasoning 
when you differ with others in regard to the import 
of the Bible? 



A TALK WITH A MINISTER. 137 

H. O, well! so far as the rules of church govern- 
ment may be concerned, we exercise our reason, and 
no further. 

W. Is your house the house of God, and the only 
house of God? 

H. Yes; our house is dedicated to God, and we 
use it as such, and for no other purpose. 

W. Is the Catholic house the house of God ? 

H. Y-e-s ; as they understand the Bible. 

W. Is not your position an exercise of your 
reason? 

H. Only in accordance with the Bible, harmoniz- 
ing with God's revelations. 

W. Where, in the Bible, do you find authority for 
the teachings of Protestantism? 

H. We find it in the teachings of the Old, and 
more especially the ~New Testament. 

W. And then Protestantism, and especially your 
church doctrines, are the results of human conclu- 
sions. Is not this the reasoning of man? 

H. Yes; but it is the reasonings of revelation 
also. 

W. Through you, or some one else? 

H. Through the apostles and the prophets, who 
were just men, inspired of God. 

W. So declared by the councils of the past. 

H. We consider that we are right. 

W. And so do the Catholics; but they condemn 
your views, even to the extent of burning your Bibles, 
and you condemn them. 

H. And yet, they believe as we do ; that is, in the 



138 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

divine authenticity of the Bible, and the power of the 
blood of Jesus to save. 

W. That brings us back again to the original start- 
ing point — reason. Is it finite or infinite reason? 

JET. We accept the infinite reason. 

W. The Catholics, being evangelical in their teach- 
ings, will you let them use your church for worship, 
or preach from your pulpit? 

H. No ; and if asked to do so, should frankly say 
to them, "No; you cannot use my pulpit! " 

W. But they believe in the evangelical idea of 
atonement, and salvation through the blood of Jesus 
Christ, as the only means of grace. 

H. True; but they do not agree with us. 

W. So they say of you. Here, again, we find you 
in the full exercise of your reasoning faculties. 
Plainly, Mr. H., what denominations are you willing 
to let into your pulpit, or permit to worship in your 
house? 

H. The evangelical churches only. 

W. Who are evangelical? 

IT. The Old and New School Presbyterians, 
Congregationalists, Methodists, Baptists, and their 
branches, only. 

W. Are not the Swedenborgians believers in 
Christ ? 

E. Yes. 

W. Would you exclude them from your pulpit? 

H. Most certainly. 

W. Then you would exclude every denomination 
except those mentioned a short time ago? 



A TALK WITH A MINISTER. 139 

H. Yes, sir; I certainly would. 

W. What of the Christian, or Campbellite church? 
Would you let them use your pulpit? 

H. I should frankly say to them, as I would to 
you, " You cannot use our church ; I cannot, in con- 
science, permit you to worship God, after your way, 
in my church." 

W. Here you are, acting from reason again. 

H. No; I am only carrying out the teaching of 
my Master, and his word — the Bible. 

W. Then your faith in the power of the blood of 
Jesus to save is your only rule of action? 

R. Most certainly. 

W. Let me make a case. The father of A. and J. 
is an Old School Baptist; their mother, a very liberal 
Methodist; on Sundays, they attend their respective 
churches; the father orders A. and J. to accompany 
him to the Baptist Church; the mother countermands 
the order, and bids them go with her. Which should 
the boys go with? 

H. The father, of course, he being the head of the 
house. 

W. Is not the mother's wish to be considered of 
any value, in regard to her children's religious educa- 
tion? Has she no voice in the matter? 

H. The father's will is law in this case. 

W. Well, supposing A. elects to go with the 
mother, and J. with the father — both children being 
minors — what then ? 

H. Again the father's will should be the law, and 
the mother, as well as the children, be guided by him. 



140 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

W. Is the mother, in this case, exercising her faith, 
or reason, or either? Is she not, in fact, through your 
decision, deprived of faith, reason, and the right to 
worship God after the dictates of her own heart, or 
soul? 

H. N-o-t a-1-t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r. 

W. Well, let us carry the case a little further. A. 
says : " Father, I elect to go with mother, and do not 
believe with you, and prefer to go to the Methodist 
Church ; I do not believe in election and fore-ordina- 
tion." The father says : " My boy, you have no voice 
in this matter; you shall go to church with me." 
And the boy is compelled to leave his mother, and go 
with his father. Is this right? 

H. Yes; the father is responsible to G-od and 
society for the present character and future welfare 
of the soul of A., and is justified in coercing the lad 
into obeying him. 

W. Again we ask, where was the mother's rights? 
or had she none? 

H. The mother has rights, but not to the extent 
of supplanting the father and husband, in his right to 
control the religious training of his children. 

W. Let us look at the results through this compul- 
sion. A year later, A. left his home — fled from 
paternal oppression, though loved by his father — and 
is to-day a man of power and influence in the land, 
while \L, who was elected, and remained at home, 
died, a few years ago, at Panama, South Amer- 
ica, a confirmed drunkard. Who was the elected 
one? 



A TALK WITH A MINISTER. 141 

H. (With marked surprise.) This is a very rare 
case, and only one in a thousand. 

W. You are mistaken ; it is of frequent occurrence. 
" For the children of this world are, in their genera- 
tion, wiser than the children of light." But, candidly, 
Mr. EL, if, as a man, you could refuse honest men and 
women the right to worship in the house of God, 
under your control, here on earth, would you? And 
would you, if you were God, exclude all these denom- 
inations from Heaven, as you exclude them from your 
church? 

H. (Much embarrassed.) "What do you mean ? 

W. I mean this : If you were God, instead of man, 
would you, as God, expel from Heaven, or refuse to 
save, any one, or all, of the denominations rejected by 
you as a human being, man, and minister of the 
Gospel ? 

H. I understand you, and decline to answer the 
question ; but you may rest assured of one thing, and 
that is, I would be just in either case. 

W. Is it just, to exclude those denominations from 
worshiping in your God's house here on earth? 

H. Yes ; from my standpoint. The bells are ring- 
ing, and I must go. 

W. And the bells of Heaven are ringing for vol- 
unteers to put down this damnable theology, for what 
this man would do on earth he will do in Heaven; 
and, as we need not expect mercy at his hands here, 
or hereafter, we must " fight it out on this line, if it 
takes all eternity." And now let us to the battle of 
God, and the victory is ours. Let the bells ring! 



CHAPTEK XIV. 

The Parting with Mary — The Prayer for Farmer Mary's Sake — 
The Test. 

TOUR IN MICHIGAN. 

Friday evening, November 1, 1872, we left the 
home of Farmer Mary and our little ones, for a 
tour of forty-two days in the fruitful State of 
Michigan, Farmer Mary accompanying us on our 
way as far as Chicago. Ah! my Mary, long years 
we have stood side by side amid the storm and sun- 
shine of life. Sometimes the wolf has placed his 
huge paws on the threshhold, showing his fangs in 
hunger to us, and yet we have had our daily bread. 
Thanks be to the All Father and the dear old Mother 
God, whose children we are, we live, are well, and are 
prospered. We have a home, and darling boys and 
girls to comfort and cheer us as we walk down the 
hill of life toward the vale of the Summer Land. At 
eight o'clock we bade each other good-bye — Farmer 
Mary to our home returned — we to the work of the 
Gods. 

At half-past nine, p. m., we were in our berth in the 
sleeping car, thinking of one who, eighteen hundred 
and thirty-nine years ago, was shivering in the cold, 
going on foot from one town of Judea to another, at 
the rate of twenty or thirty miles in twenty-four hours, 
teaching the Infidel Jews Spiritualism. And then we 

(142) 



TOUR IN MICHIGAN. 143 

thought of the cruel murder of this man by the priests 
of the age, and of the fearful death of his disciples; 
and then we thought of our own work and the dis- 
ciples and apostles of Spiritualism as it is in our 
time, and the enmity of all the priests of our day. 
And thus comparing, we wondered if Jesus had ever 
dreamed of a time in the future when the medium 
could lie down at night in a comfortable bed, and the 
next morning find himself two or three hundred miles 
from his starting place, or that he could send his word 
around the world in forty minutes. "While we were 
thus communing, we heard a voice in prayer, and thus 
it said: " O God, I pray Thee to watch over this train 
of cars, and these precious souls, in their swift flight 
over the iron rail to-night; and I pray Thee, oh! my 
Savior, to accompany Thy servant on his journey, and 
at its end to bless him by seeing him safely there. 
Strengthen me, O God, to do my duty and to do it 
well — all of which favors we ask for Christ's sake. 
Amen." Well, my Gentle Wilson, where are your 
prayers? we asked. Then we prayed: "Oh! Pull- 
man, we thank thee for this magnificent sleeping car. 
Oh! Michigan Central Railroad Company, we thank 
thee for this well-ordered and well-balanced railway, 
trusting our precious body in the hands of — first, the 
engineer; second, the conductor; third, the brakesmen, 
and lastly we commit ourselves into thy hands, oh! 
Michigan Central Railroad Company, for the next 
forty-two days, and beseech thee to employ only such 
servants as will keep a sharp look-out, remain sober, 
and land us safely at last in our home. One favor 



144 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

more we ask, oil! Michigan Central Eailroad, that 
you may be moved to send the Gentle Wilson a half- 
fare ticket over all the railways you own or control — 
all of which favors we ask for Farmer Mary's sake. 
Amen?" And as we finished our praying, the pray- 
ing man inquired, " I say, stranger, are you a Chris- 
tian?" 

"No, sir!" 

" Christian or no Christian," said a farmer in the 
berth opposite us, " we on this side second that 
prayer." 

"All those in favor of the prayer for Farmer Mary's 
sake, will manifest it by saying ' I,' " exclaimed a 
voice in the berth next to us, and " I, I, I," came 
down the aisle of the car. "The I's have it!" ex- 
claimed our burly friend, and we went to sleep. 

Saturday, November 2, found us at Jackson at 4.30 
a. m., waiting for the train for Bay City via Jackson, 
Lansing and Saginaw Railroad. While sitting in the 
depot, w T e heard the following conversation: 

" Who was that fellow who prayed to Pullman and 
the Michigan Central Railroad Company last night?" 
asked one man of another. 

" I don't know; but one thing is certain — he ought 
to be prosecuted for blasphemy." 

"What did he say?" we asked. 

" Oh, he thanked Pullman and the Michigan Cen- 
tral Railroad Company for good sleeping cars, and 
then asked for half-fare tickets — all for Farmer 
Mary's sake." 

" Well, my friend, had he not a right to ask such 



TOUR IN MICHIGAN. 145 

favors? and does not the Bible teach us that what- 
soever we desire believing, we shall receive?" 

"All aboard for Lansing, Saginaw and Bay City!" 
shouted the conductor; and in a few moments we 
were once more rolling on our way over the iron rail 
to our point of destination, Bay City. 

We delivered eight lectures there — held three after- 
noon meetings on Sundays, and four Monday evening 
seances, and attended one social. Our meetings were 
well attended, the audiences giving marked attention, 
and for the first time the society has not had to draw 
on private funds to any extent to pay their speaker, 
the collections and benefits reaching one hundred 
and twelve dollars all told. This is well, and as it 
should be. We gave many fine tests of spirit-life 
while in Bay City, as well as readings of character 
— among which we think the following worthy of 
record : 

First. To a lady, a Mrs. H : " There "is with 

you a spirit girl who died as a child, and she is your 
sister Mary." This statement was corroborated to the 
letter. 

Second. Turning to a man, we said: " Sir, we see 
you at fourteen years of age stepping forth into life, 
your own master. At twenty, we find you taking 
upon yourself responsibilities of an onerous charac- 
ter. At twenty-seven we see you in a storm of excite- 
ment — your life is in danger and you barely escape. 
What say you?" 

" You are right, sir. At fourteen years of age I ran 
away from home and became my own master. At 
10 



146 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

twenty-seven I was in the army, and in that year I 
was in several battle storms." 

Third. To a lady: "We see you in sorrow and 
grief eleven years ago. This is in July. In Septem- 
ber a light goes out from you. It is the spirit life 
of a woman — your mother and child." 

" Yes, eleven years ago I buried my mother and 
child." 

Fourth. To a man who sat in the rear part of the 
house: " We see with this man a woman. She is his 
sister, and she gives me the following fact: 'We see 
him in a struggle with a horse — he is thrown and 
severely hurt. He is eleven years old.' " We fully 
described the horse. "At fifteen years of age we see 
him struggling in the water with another whom he 
rescues from drowning. At twenty years, he cuts 
loose from all control and changes every surrounding 
in life. At twenty-four he takes upon him new rela- 
tions that affect him socially, locally and pecuniarily. 
At thirty-two, sickness, sorrow and grief are with 
him. At thirty-eight we see a change locally that 
culminates in what and where he now is." We then 
read his character as a. man, described his father and 
mother. "What say you, sir, to this reading — are 
we right or wrong?" 

Slowly the man rose up, asking, " Do you mean me, 
sir?" 

"Yes; and we do not want you to favor us." 

"Well, sir, I shall not. I don't know how you do 
these things, for I am not a Spiritualist, nor have I 
ever seen you before, and yet every word you have 



MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA. 147 

spoken is true. The incident as being with the horse 
is remarkably true. The scar is here on my head to- 
night; in fact, it is wonderfully true!' 

"How about the sister?" 

" That is true." 

The people were very much surprised at these ver- 
ifications. 



MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA. 

E. Y. Wilson has just delivered a course of three 
lectures at Union Hall in this city, a full description 
of which would be more of a task than my pen is able 
to give. Our large hall was completely crowded, jam- 
med full, every vacant place, sitting and standing, with 
the intelligent, thinking portion of the people. Many 
were turned away in consequence of there not being 
room inside of the building to contain them. 

We have had many very eloquent speakers here 
during the last political campaign, among whom were 
our honored statesmen, O. P. Morton and SchuyJer 
Colfax, and I believe that everybody will agree with 
me that neither one of them have excelled Brother 
Wilson in eloquence and logic. He is nature's own 
orator, and his subject was "Modern Spiritualism." 
The effect of the grand truths delivered, and the tre- 
mendous power with which they were driven home, 
will last until many generations shall have passed 
away. We could hardly restrain our tears when we 
took Brother Wilson by the hand to bid him good- 
bye, remembering his words of truth and love, and 



148 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

that we should perhaps never meet him again on this 
side of the river. 

He gave upwards of one hundred tests, all but a 
very few of which were correct beyond a doubt. We 
can say truly, that in Michigan City, never before did 
" man speak as this man spake." 

L. S. Hart, 
Michigan City, Ind. } Dec. 11, 1872. 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Visit to Saugatuck — The Inquisitive Man — The Fire 
Fiend — The Minister, his Wrath — The Return Home. 

THE VISIT TO SAUGATUCK. 

Friday, July 12th, 1872, we left for Saugatuck, 
Mich., speaking Friday and Saturday evenings to a 
numerous audience, giving many fine tests, and creat- 
ing a marked interest. There are many earnest inquir- 
ers after immortality in this city and vicinity, and 
some as true workers as there are in the world. The 
Cooks, father and son, Mr. Morrison and others, are 
up and ready to work, every time. Brothers J. M. 
Peebles and C. E. Dunn were in hot water here a few 
years ago, passing through the ordeal of mob law, 



THE VISIT TO SAUGATUCK. 149 

instigated by the officers and leaders of society. 
How changed to-day ! Our speakers come and go at 
will ; are heard and paid in some cases by those who 
mobbed them the year before. 

Sunday, July 14th, we spoke at Fennville, to good 
audiences, having a right good time. Truly, the Spirit- 
ualists of Saugatuck, Plummersville, Ganges and Fenn- 
ville, are a host in more senses than one. They are 
numerous, honest, generous, truthful and ready to do. 
"We love them, and always have a good time when 
with them. 

Monday morning, July 15th, at four o'clock, we 
were on the rail and away to Muskegon. We spoke 
here to full houses for three evenings, and one 
evening at Port Sherman, at the mouth of the river. 
Brothers Eogers, Ingalls and others, are honest and 
earnest workers in our cause. 

Friday, July 19th, we left Muskegon for Pentwater 
and Hart, Mich., speaking in these places four times, 
having large audiences and giving many fine tests. 
At Hart we had a joyous time, and many were aroused 
to think deeply of their future. We found many 
inquirers in all of these places, and really an earnest 
desire for the truth as it is in Spiritualism. 

The following incident occured on the day we left 
Chicago, and when near Michigan City. A young 
man very abruptly asked us: 

"Are you a second Jesus?" 

"No, sir! we never play second fiddle. Why did 
you ask that question?" 

"Are you not a Spiritualist?" 



150 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"Yes, sir; we are." 

" I thought so." 

"Why did you think so?" 

" Because you Spiritualists always look happy, and 
seem to have no fear of death, hell and the judgment; 
in fact, you have no God, no future punishment." 

"Where did you learn all this of Spiritualism?" 

" Well, I have known many, read of more, and heard 
from others." 

" Well, sir," we replied, " we are happy, believe in 
one God, a spirit, and worship him in spirit. We 
have no hell-fire to cast our enemies into, but punish- 
ment for every offense, and yet give the offender an 
opportunity to improve, and live a better life. We 
know that we are immortal and progressive, and that 
our soul's rights to progress are not based on Gods, 
churches, devils nor hell, hence we are happy." 

" Well, sir, I can do nothing of myself. My future 
depends not on me, but on my Savior; he alone can 
save me. He will bear the burden of my offense; his 
blood will make me white as snow; in him my salva- 
tion is sure." 

" Well, my friend, we prefer reason to faith ; work 
to prayer; practice to profession; love to hate, and 
responsibility to the want thereof. We shall save our- 
selves, and Jesus will not bear the burden of our 
offense." 

Standing with his eyes open, his mouth ajar, and 
his nose expanded, he exclaimed: 

" You are lost ! lost ! ! lost ! ! ! " 

" We are not," we replied. " We know just where 



THE VISIT TO SATJGATUCK. 151 

we are, where we are going, and when we will return." 
"Michigan City!" shouted the brakesman, and we 
parted; he in sadness, following Jesus; we in joy, 
following our nose. 

At New Buffalo we were detained several hours on 
the platform of the station. We asked of a stranger 
if he knew a Mr. J. O. Smith, or a Mrs. Beson. 

" Do you know 'em ? " 

" We ask you if you know these people," we replied. 

"Wall, I reckon you're an old friend of Mrs. 
Beson's?" 

" That is not our question, sir." 

" Do they owe you anything? " 

"We asked you, sir, if you knew these people; will 
you answer, yes or no ? " 

"You're from the East, I think, ain't you?" 

".No, sir; we are from the West. Will you tell us 
whether you know these people?" 

" Are you a lawyer? " 

" No." 

" Maybe you're a doctor? " 

"No." 

"Out collecting?" 

" No." 

" What church do you belong to?" 

" The church of humanity." 

" Then you're a minister? " 

"No." 

" Well, you're a Christian ? " 

"No." 

"What in thunder are you?" 



152 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"We are a speaker and teacher in Spiritualism. 
Do you know J. O. Smith, or Mrs. Beson? Yes or 
no." 

" "Wall, yes ; Smith lives out here about four miles, 
and Miss Beson has gone away, I believe. I say, 
Mister, kin you find an ile well? for if you kin, I'll 
give you five dollars to find one for me." 

" Yes, sir; we can find an 'ile well ' for you, and tell 
you just where it is, and warrant it to flow two hun- 
dred barrels a day, for Hve dollars." 

In a moment there were a half dozen men ready 
with their Hve dollars, to take a share in the oil well, 
and among them a young man looking every inch the 
minister. 

" Are you a minister? " we asked. 

" Yes, sir." 

" Well, let us form an * ile company ' here, and make 
you the President." 

" I must first know where it is, sir, before I take 
any interest in it." 

"Well," we replied, "when we get the five dollars 
we will locate the well." 

"Wall, stranger, I must know the country where it 
is before I invest." 

" Will you organize and invest when we name the 
country?" 

"Yes; if it is possible." 

" It is perfectly possible," we replied, " and our 
friend, the minister, will testify to the correctness of 
our statement. 

"Name the place," cried all present. 



THE VISIT TO SAUGATUCK. 153 

We replied, "The well is hell; the oil, the fat of 
sinners, and there is a world of it." 

Our minister turned red; our friend, the questioner, 
turned pale; all looked blue, and the project was 
abandoned; but Ave did not find Smith or Beson. 

At Grand Junction the fire king swept everything 
before it last fall. Observing to a stranger : 

" You suffered terribly here from the fire last fall." 

"Yes; God in his mercy scourged us with fire fear- 
fully." 

u Are you a Christian, sir?" 

"Yes; I trust I am." 

"Do you love God?" 

" Yes ; with all my heart." 

" And have served him faithfully ? " 

"Yes; to the best of my ability." 

" And this is the way you are paid off for your 
loyalty, love and service!" 

Turning sharply upon us, with a frown on his face, 
his fingers clenched, his hand menacingly extended, 
he asked: 

" Do you mean to insult me? " and he spoke with a 
hiss, 

" No; we do not mean to insult you, and yet, if the 
coat fits you, put it on, for they who charge God with 
scourging his own people — women and children — 
are guilty of grossly insulting Deity." 

" Who are you, sir, that dare insult me, and the 
people of this section of the country?" 

" I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. 
Get out of the way of the Lord, for his chariot is com- 



154 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ing, and his name is Spiritualism. I am E. V. Wil- 
son, ' the gentle,' and am going to Saugatuck to speak 
and give tests, and now tender yon half of our time. 
Come, and raise your altar, and kindle your fire, and 
consume us." 

" I will have nothing to do with you, sir." 

" Good-bye," and we moved on. 

At Muskegon, we had a stirring time with one 
whose great trouble was, he was not certain whether 
he made God, or God made him, but will learn when 
the fool -catcher comes along next Spring. 

We returned home by steamboat from Muskegon, 
having a Very pleasant trip, making many friends, 
speaking fifteen times. Pentwater, Muskegon, and 
Saugatuck, are lumbering towns, doing a fine trade, 
and are live places. Hart is a nice little place, only 
wanting a railroad to make it become a great place. 
We like our Michigan friends; they are all good. 



CHAPTEE XVI. 

A REMARKABLE COINCIDENT. 

On Sunday, at half past three o'clock, p. m., June 
16, 1872, at a seance given in the Old School House, 
at West Mitchell, Mitchell county, Iowa, we saw two 



A REMARKABLE COINCIDENT. 155 

ladies, sitting side by side, dressed in black — in fact, 
in deep mourning. We felt a strong influence from 
spirit-life drawing us toward them. Walking to their 
seats, under influence, and stretching out our right 
hand toward them, we spoke very nearly as follows: 

" Greetings, friends — sisters of mine — from my 
home in the Summer Land; joyous greetings we 
bring you, on the shores of time." 

Then, stepping to our place, we turned to the peo- 
ple, saying: " Do not think we have chosen these two 
ladies because they are in mourning, for that of which 
we speak is from a brother of these ladies, who died 
seven years ago, and says, ' that if just treatment had 
been extended toward me, to-day I would not be a 
spirit, but a mortal, sensate man, loving and loved in 
return.' " 

At this point, one of the ladies fainted away, be- 
coming unconscious, and causing the influence to lose 
its hold — it was gone. 

During the afternoon and evening there was much 
comment in reference to the statement, and the gen- 
eral opinion was, that we had made a great blunder — 
first, in addressing them as "friends — sisters mine," 
for they were not sisters, and only knowing each other 
less than a year — one an Englishwoman, and the 
other an American — one a wife, and the other single; 
second — the opinion gained ground that we, seeing 
them in black, guessed the cause, but had lost the 
case. Our reply to our friend — we never make any 
to our enemies, save in hard blows — was; "Wait and 
see the glory of GrocL" 



156 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

And now for the glory. At ten o'clock p. m., Octo- 
ber 9, 1872, on our way from our lecture, in the Town 
House, of West Mitchell, Iowa, a gentleman accosted 
us, thus: 

" A cool evening, Mr. "Wilson." 

" Yes, sir ; and it is the time of year for cool even- 
ings," we replied. 

" You don't know me," said our man. 

" No, sir," we replied. 

" Do you remember the young woman, in black, who 
fainted, last summer, when you were here?" 

" Yery well, sir; what do you know about her? " 

" Before I answer your question, can you tell me 
why you addressed those ladies — admitting, as you 
claim, speaking as the spirit — ' Friends — sisters 
mine,' for they were in no way related, and had 
known each other only a year, or a little over?" 

"We can't answer that question. We remember 
the fact, however." 

"Well," said our friend of the evening, "one of 
those ladies is my wife; the other — the one who 
fainted — only a friend on a visit to our house, who 
came over from London a little over a year ago. On 
reaching home, she told us that, seven years and three 
months ago, she lost a brother, under very peculiar 
circumstances, and that the address, and the mention- 
ing that the spirit was a brother, caused the fainting. 
But, said I, the spirit addressed both of you; why 
this? Here we were in a mystery, and we considered 
the testimony blocked. A night or two after, we 
were again canvassing the matter, and I remembered 



A REMARKABLE COINCIDENT. 157 

that my wife had lost a brother. Turning to her, X 
asked how long since her brother died. She replied, 
five or six years ago. Said, I let us get at the exact 
time; and when we had reached the fact, we found 
that my wife's brother had been in the spirit world 
seven years less three months. A remarkable coinci- 
dent!" 

Yes, reader, a remarkable coincident ! and we ven- 
ture the assertion that there is not another such a case 
in Mitchell county, if there is in the State of Iowa, 
for these immortal brothers to unite as one mind and 
address their sisters as "friends — sisters mine," and 
yet these women were far apart when the brothers 
were born again. Neither the sisters nor brothers 
had ever known each other. Remarkable coincident! 
These inspirations from life in the Summer Land, car- 
rying glad tidings from beyond the River of Death, 
that flows between the .Christian and his God — 
flashes of light from the soul's future — are our 
attractions, and they have left "The Gates Ajar," 
and watchers are waiting for us to come; some, more 
anxious, come down to us. 

How beautifully Sister Emma Tuttle touches the 
soul, in her "Lights and Shadows": 

" Ah, she comes ! Love light is streaming 
From her eyes, with beauty gleaming, 
Brighter far than Memory's dreaming 
Of their earnest, faded light." 

" Like wan Grief to Gladness kneeling, 
Come sweet feeling, o'er me stealing, 
With the beauteous revealing 

Of the angel pure and bright." 



158 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ANOTHER REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE. 

At the same meeting in which we gave the previous 
remarkable coincident, we stated that there was the 
spirit of a woman here, who says she took the law 
into her own hands, committing suicide by poison, 
nine years ago. We then described her minutely, but 
got no name. Again our enemies were jubilant, and 
our friends uneasy, but we, leaning on our staff, 
replied, " Wait, and see the glory of God." 

Last night, October 9, the glory came, and the vic- 
tory was ours. 

At the conclusion of our lecture and test-giving, a 
gentleman in the audience arose, saying, " The medium 
sitting by my side saw the spirit of a woman in the 
aisle of the house, who told her that, nine years ago, 
she committed suicide by taking poison, and that she 
left a written statement of the fact." 

A gentleman present stated that it was a fact, and 
that it was nine years ago this summer, and her name 
was Owen. 

Again our vision was verified, and the truth pre- 
vailed, and our seers agreed that each saw alike. 
Thus, in the mouths of two or three witnesses the 
truths of Spiritualism are verified. Truly, our relig- 
ion is a religion of knowledge, and not a religion of 
faith. 



CHAPTEK XYII. 

The Steam Engine and Its Eccentricities — No. 30 — Jim 
Smith's Advice. 

THE STEAM ENGINE AND ITS ECCENTRICITIES. 

" Engine 61, on the Erie Bailway, at one time be- 
came so erratic that no engineer would run her. She 
invariably ran off the track before her trips were com- 
pleted, and caused continual delays and annoyance on 
the road, and yet our best men could detect no fault 
in the machinery. Afterward, of her own accord, she 
did her work up properly." 

"We copy the above from the " Banner of Light," 
jN"o. 9, Yol. 24. In addition, give a story we heard 
an old engineer tell: 

Once upon a time, when I was running an engine 
between London and Liverpool, England, my engine 
got ugly, and would not work. I made a careful ex- 
amination of her machinery, but found nothing the 
matter. Sometimes she would not make steam ; again 
would make too much ; and that, too, when everything 
was equal. One night — I remember it well; I was 
then running into Liverpool; it was a cloudy, damp 
night — we had a heavy train, and had on a heavy 
head of steam; I put my hand upon the throttle 
lever, and felt a sharp, magnetic shock. Says I to 
Jim — you see, Jim was my fireman — "the old 
engine is going to talk again." 

/159J 



160 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Says Jim: u How do you know? " 

" Cause," says I, " she says so." 

" How does she speak?" says Jim. 

" With lightning," says I. " Just you touch that 
'ere lever, and you will hear her speak." 

And Jim did so, and you 'd have laughed to see him 
take his hand off. 

" D — n the thing, " says Jim ; " she 's full of light- 
ning." 

Well, soon my pet was mad, and refused to work. 
I had been used to these tricks of hers, and always 
knew they were coming whenever I felt these electric 
currents. So I says to Jim, " We will wait a little, 
and may be she will conclude to go on." 

Soon Old 30 began to back up, and at this moment 
I saw the hand of a man on the reverse lever. I 
raised my eyes and looked again, but the hand was 
gone.. At this moment, the bell was struck once, and 
I looked forward, and there stood a man as large as 
life. Jim and I both saw him very plain. 

Says I, " What are you doing there? " 

Then there was a strange laugh, and the man was 
gone; and the old engine went on about her busi- 
ness, as usual. 

Jim and I concluded we would say nothing about 
the man we had seen. So, when it was time for our 
engine to go out again, we concluded to keep a sharp 
look out for our man, and the lightning warning. 
Well, it came — the lightning — and soon I saw my 
man, and this time by my side, as natural as life; but 
Jim did not see him. 



THE STEAM ENGINE. 161 

Says I, " What, in hell, do you want? " 

Says he, " Take care, Bob ; do not use such words. 
Don't you know me?" 

And then I looked at him, sharply, and says I, "My 
God! you are Jack Smith, that was killed by a smash- 
np fifteen miles this side of Y ." 

"Yes," says Jack; "but I am not dead; and I take 
this method of impressing and informing yon of my 
presence; and whenever you feel this electric current, 
you may know that I am near you, and you must 
be on your guard, for there is danger ahead." 

Well, this continued four or five years, and then I 
left England for America, but I have not seen or heard 
from Jim since I came to this country. 

I give this story as I heard it, and in connection 
with the one quoted from the " Banner of Light." 
It suggests to me the facts of an engine I once exam- 
ined, in Milwaukee, in 1861-2, that, at times, was so 
heavily charged with electricity, it could not be used ; 
and yet the conductor, engineer, and others of the 
M. M. P. R. B., could not account for the phenomena. 
On one occasion, when examining the engine, I put 
my hand on one of the levers, and felt the electric 
current at once; instantly I saw a spirit; it was the 
spirit of an engineer that had been killed on the road 
west of Wakesha, sometime before, and was identified 
by my description. 

My friend, Dr. Boberts, directs me to give the fol- 
lowing theory to the world. It is this : 

Magnetism, so called, is the human agent, and elec- 
11 



162 THE TRUTHS OF SITRITUALISM. 

tricitj the spiritual agent, through which mortals and 
immortals commune with each other. Friction pro- 
duces electricity. The great amount of friction re- 
quired for draft, or power to hold on and draw at the 
same time, rapidly generates electricity; and the en- 
gine, being a magnet of great attractive power, in 
rapid motion becomes surcharged with electric fluids, 
and when in motion, generates faster than it dis- 
charges; hence, electric explosions take place, some- 
times strong enough to lift the engine, make it jump 
up, and occasionally flounder and bounce off of the 
track. The Doctor suggests copper rods, attached to 
the engines, and so arranged as to trail on the ground. 
Reason : Copper rods are not attractors of magnetism, 
or electricity ,-but are good conductors of either. He 
also says, that when an engine is fully charged with 
electricity, it becomes a good battery for spirits to 
manifest through, and that whenever the magnetism 
of the conductor, engineer, or fireman, will warrant 
phenomena, then the spirits can and will commu- 
nicate. 

"Will some railroad engineer try the copper rods, 
when his engine gets balky, and refuses to work? 
Can any one give a better reason for these freaks of 
the engine? 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

Spiritualism in Syracuse, New York — Dr. Jared B. Parker — 
• The School Teacher — Lieutenant Charles George. 

SPIRITUALISM IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK. 

We lectured in Syracuse on Tuesday, Wednesday, 
Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening, January, 
1869. Our audiences averaged from four to five hun- 
dred. There have been very few lectures on this sub- 
ject in Syracuse, and to very small audiences. Many 
of the friends in the city were afraid that the lectures 
would be a failure; but knowing no such thing as 
failure in our Spiritualism, we visited Syracuse, 
and we think that we gained a great victory. 

Our meetings were held in the court house, and 
resulted in a grand success for free lectures. Our 
audiences averaged five hundred. We gave over 
one hundred approved tests and communications, 
among which are the following: 

While lecturing Tuesday evening, January 5, there 
came upon the platform the spirit of a tall, spare 
man, dark complexion, over fifty, gray hair, very 
much attenuated, and said: 

" I am Jacob Hulin. I used to live in this city, 
on Pearl street, and died twenty-six years ago. There 
are many in the house I know." 

" Does any one identify this man?" we asked. 

" We do," many answered. 
(163) 



164 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Next came a spirit, or immortal man, small of form, 
dark complexion, face broad and full of wrinkles, fore- 
head large and receding, hair thin, dark and mingled 
with gray; and he said, " I am an old citizen of this 
place, and died here a few years ago. I know many 
here. I am Doctor Jared B. Parker." 

Many exclaimed, " We knew him." 

We then gave many minor tests, and concluded by 
reading the life-history of Mr. Van Tassel, once a 
Methodist minister, now an honored and true apostle 
of the gospel of truth. The reading of his life-his- 
tory was pronounced exceedingly accurate. 

Wednesday. Private conversation. Present, four 
persons. 

" Mrs. , I see you at nineteen years of age, in 

costume, on some public occasion. You are standing 
with a group of ladies. Suddenly there is wild con- 
fusion, and there lies at your feet a dead man, describ- 
ing him. The diamond ring on your finger has a sad 
history. There is blood on it; it is associated with a 
death — a suicide. There is a dagger, small and of 
exquisite workmanship; it rests in an open hand over 
the ring, and with the point to you." 

She answered, "It is strictly true — too true." 

In the presence of a full house, the brothers H 

came from the spirit land, gave their names, told how 
they were killed, and when. A second group came; 
one was Mr. G. Brayton; the other gave his name as 
Elisha Ladd. He told when he was killed, where, and 
how. These two spirits were fully described, and at 
once identified. 



SPIRITUALISM IN SYRACUSE. 165 

"We delineated the character of Mr. S., a well known 
citizen, and the reading was pronounced exceedingly- 
correct. 

While lecturing, Thursday evening, January 7, there 
came upon the platform the spirit of a fine looking, 
tall man, who was carefully described. He bowed to 
the people, and gave his name as Mr. Russell. This 
spirit was fully identified by many persons present. 

Then came forward a spirit full of sorrow, and was 
fully described. He had been a school teacher; had 
fallen from his high estate through the influence of 
whisky; had not got rid of the curse. He gave. 
his name as Bennett. He was fully identified by 
several. 

The next was a very marked case of spirit identity. 
There sat a man, thirty feet from us, Mr. J. S. After 
pointing him out, we said, there stands by this man the 
spirit of a soldier, in uniform, describing him very 
carefully. He says he was killed in 1863, in the army 
of the Potomac. He says that you are his uncle Ira, 
and wishes to be remembered to you; all of which 
was approved, and the multitude was very much sur- 
prised. 

After that we went home with Mr. W. Kelsey, on 
Lodi Hill. After some conversation, we went into the 
spirit state, saw and described many spirits, among 
whom came the spirit of Seth Kelsey; he talked 
sometime with his brothers, and of his dear old wife, 
and his daughter, and sent them words of cheer; and 
then gave place to the Eev. Mr. Adams, formerly a 
Presbyterian minister, who preached in Syracuse 



166 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

many years ago. He fully identified himself, and 
spoke of his change from time to eternity, and of his 
views here and in the spirit world. This was a 
remarkable case of spirit identity. 

Then came Lieutenant Charles George, who claimed 
to be the husband of a lady in the room, calling her 
Sarah. He told of a walk he had with her long ago, 
described the place, spoke very feelingly of his little 
son, and gave good advice to his wife, and bade us 
good night. 

Then came the spirit of a black man. He gave his 
name as Jim Wagoner, the blacksmith, and identified 
himself to a young man who was in the room. 

We gave a seance on Friday, January 8, to a full 
house, and many fine tests of spirit life. 

Dr. W., of Baldwinsville, was sitting on his seat; I 
saw by him a spirit, and stepping up to him, said, 
" Sir, there stands by you the spirit of a dear, good 
woman, who calls you husband, and says, c Cheer up, 
for I am with you; do not weep, for I am not dead, 
but have been in the spirit life but a little while, and 
here is our baby darling, just followed me into the 
spirit world. Do not weep.' " 

This man came from B., on purpose to attend these 
meetings. He had never seen me before; had buried 
his wife but a few days ago, and the child three or four 
days before, and the description of them were fully 
identified. And he wept. 

Dear readers, are we not surrounded by a great 
cloud of witnesses, and shall he not give us in charge 
of his angels. 



A TALK WITH THE SPIRITS. 167 

At night we lectured to fully seven hundred people. 
We gave many fine tests, and received the congratula- 
tions of the audience, and was invited to return at an 
early day. We left our friends rejoicing; and Spirit- 
ualism, triumphant! 



CHAPTER XIX. 

A TALK WITH THE SPIRITS. 

May I have room to relate what I saw and heard on 
Monday evening, at Lyceum Hall, Cleveland, May 
15th, 1869? Passing along Superior street in front 
of Case Hall, I saw a light in Lyceum Hall. Cross- 
ing over and ascending the stairs, I inquired of one 
I met on the way, "What is going on up here? " 

His reply was, " Wilson gives a seance to the Spirit- 
ualists." 

So, moving forward I came to a door, and there I 
found a cluster of men standing around a stout, plain- 
looking, gray-haired man, of some fifty summer's sun- 
shine. I notice that some dropped a quarter stamp 
in his hand, and some did not. 

" What," said I, " spirits take money?" 

" Yes," said the gray haired man; " the little fish is 
looking for coin to pay the tribute with." 



168 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Well, we paid our quarter and went forward, taking 
our seat in the midst of over one hundred persons. 

At eight o'clock, our friend of the gray hairs came 
forward, and said: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen: When our friends go to 
California or Australia, we are most anxious to hear 
from them, and when a stranger from the land of gold 
and silver comes into our midst, how eagerly we ply 
him with questions, asking information of the absent 
one, and on mail days how we throng to the postoffice, 
anxiously asking: 'Any letter for me to-day?' and 
when the clerk says, ' None,' how the eyes fill with 
moisture and the lips tremble as we turn away in sor- 
row; and when we bury our dead, how we weep and 
are not comforted, and refuse any information in 
regard to them. We believe they are immortal and 
are happy, and yet we refuse to hear of or from them. 
They are no more dead to us than the relative 
or friend is, in California or Australia. We are anx- 
ious to hear from the latter and refuse to hear from 
the former. Why? Because they are dead ; and may 
we ask, l What dies, the mind or the matter?' We 
answer: 'Matter dies; mind never.' And then we 
may ask, ' Is man immortal ? ' Certainly. The road 
he travels on into immortality he can return by. To 
illustrate (turning to an old man): There stands by 
this old man, a soldier; five feet ten inches in height; 
weight, one hundred and fifty pounds; dark brown 
hair, light complexion, eyes full, nose large and firm 
mouth ; belonged to the army and was killed, and says 
you are his father." 



A TALK WITH THE SPIRITS. 169 

"It is my son," said the old man, and Lis voice 
trembled as he spoke. 

Second. Turning to Mr. W., he said: "There 
stands by you a spirit woman, who says she is your 
spirit wife, and places her right hand on your shoulder, 
and her left on the head of the lady by your side. She 
was a little younger than you, and you formed her 
acquaintance at eighteen. He then gave a very minute 
description of the spirit woman. What do you know 
of her? Have you lost a wife? " 

" E"o, sir; I have never lost a wife," said Mr. "W. 

Nothing disturbed, the medium said: " She con- 
tinues by you. Says, I know you, but not this woman. 
I was engaged to you when I was seventeen. You 
went from me. The engagement was broken up, and 
at twenty years of age I died. I was pledged to be 
your wife. Came to you in love and truth, and what 
I have said is true. Sir," said the medium, " what do 
you know of this? " 

Said Mr. W. : " It is true, and the description of the 
woman is correct." 

Third. A man in the middle of the house was next 
pointed out, the medium saying: " Seventeen years 
ago you were associated with two men in a business 
transaction. You entertained a long journey and large 
outlays. It was an important undertaking. The second 
man was not reliable, the third man was ; you are the 
first man. You became dissatisfied with the second 
man; the undertaking was broken up and the matter a 
failure. The second man is living; the third man is 
dead. This took place in 1852, beginning in March 



170 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

and concluding in August. What do you know of this 
matter?" 

" It is true, sir," said the man, " in every particular." 

Fourth. Crossing the hall, he said to a man: 
" There stands by you one who was with you very 
often in 1859, 1860 and 1861. He entered the army 
in 1862; held a first lieutenant's commission, and was 
killed. He and you were firm friends, and he is with 
you often." The medium then gave a detailed descrip- 
tion of the spirit Lieutenant, asking the stranger if he 
recognized him. 

The answer was, " I do, indeed." 

Fifth. The medium here approached a man, and 
touched his hand, or asked him to lay his hand on his, 
which was done. Then walking leisurely from him, 
gave a minute delineation of the man's habits, character, 
and manner of thinking, etc. This was one of the 
most minute readings that I ever listened to, and I 
have heard many of the best phrenologists in the land. 
When through, the medium asked: " Is there any one 
here who knows this man ? " 

Several answered, "Yes," and one said, " I know 
him better than he knows himself." 

Said the medium: "Had you been called on to read 
this man's character, in what would you differ from 
me?" 

" In nothing; save I could not tell it as well as you 
have." 

"What do you say, sir?" turning to the man. 

" It is true; but you have spread it on pretty thick." 

Sixth. The medium walked slowly through the 



A TALK WITH THE SPIRITS. 171 

hall, to a man and woman at the rear of the audience. 
Walking behind the parties, he said: " There is with 
this man and woman, two spirits; one a woman, the 
other a little child. The child is in the woman's arms. 
She holds the child over the head of the woman, and 
the child peeps over into the lady's face in a playful 
mood. The spirit woman is either this woman's sister 
or aunt ; I believe her sister, and if her sister, she was 
a little older than the woman, and suffered intensely 
before and when dying. The child is under two years 
of age, and is the woman's child. I do not recognize 
the sex of the child. What do you know of this?" 
said the medium. 

The woman answered and said: " I have lost a sis- 
ter who was a little older than myself, who suffered 
intensely before she died; and I lost a child seventeen 
months old, and you have described them very well." 

In this case there was a slight discrepancy between 
the medium's view of the age of the child and the 
woman's knowledge of the age. 

Seventh. The medium went from these parties to a 
man and said: "Four years ago this man suffered ter- 
ribly with nervous sick-headache. Eleven years ago, 
he came near dying from an attack of inflammation of 
the lungs, and at eleven years of age, he was thrown 
from a bay colt and hurt in the back — pointing out 
the spot — by a kick from the colt or from the fall, 
and it troubles him yet. Will you tell us if this be 
true." 

The man answered: " I am from Richfield, Ohio, 
and all this man has told me is true. At eleven years 



172 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

of age, I was thrown from a bay colt, and hurt in the 
manner specified." 

Eighth. He went to a gray-haired man and said: 
" There is a peculiar spirit with you who knew you 
when a boy, and was a boy with you; " giving a minute 
description of the spirit when a boy, and then said, 
" this fellow was a half-witted fellow, a butt for the 
boys in the neighborhood to plague and fool with, and, 
sir, he now stands in a most ridiculous position, cry- 
ing, ' Why did you do that,' and, sir, you and others 
had pushed him in the mud. Will you tell us what you 
know of this matter?" 

The man answered : " I remember such a boy, a half- 
witted fellow, and remember the incident of the mud- 
hole referred to, very well; but I do not know whether 
the fellow is dead or alive. It was many years ago." 

These are but few of the wonderful tests, communi- 
cations and readings that this medium gave, and out 
of nineteen persons read and forty-five tests given, the 
medium proved all but two to be true, and that, too, 
by the parties pointed out, and all through the evening 
he illustrated and demonstrated that it was spirits that 
gave him his information. 

Now, as ministers and newspaper men are supposed 
to know all things in heaven and on earth, from Moses 
of Judea, to Jeff. Davis of Mississippi, from the 
old red sandstone to the alluvial, and from the alluvial 
to the far off comet in space, I ask you to tell me what 
this phenomena is, and how the medium does these 
things; and is it not wise to understand their nature? 

D. A. Eddy. 



CHAPTER XX. 

Farmington, Ohio — The Badger Graham — Mr. Hashmord^s 
Statement— The Trap — The Faction — The Victory. 

FARMINGTON, OHIO. 

Where is Farming toil ? you may ask. We answer, 
it is in Trumbull county, Ohio, ten miles north of the 
Cleveland and Mahoning Railroad; and a nice little 
country place it is ■; and contains many liberal souls, 
and some of the truest Spiritualists in the world. 
From this pleasant country town, came our intellectual 
inspirational brother, A. B. French; and none 'better 
qualified than he, to do our Master's work. Long may 
he live and prosper; and as I look up to his picture 
in oil, that hangs on the wall at my left (for I am stop- 
ping with his parents,) I cannot help saying, God 
speed thee, dear brother, and good angels guard thee 
in the good work before thee. 

I have been here four days and nights ; found here, 
Brothers Wheelock, Sutliff, Kellogg, and many others, 
from afar; all drawn together, to attend a discussion, 
and a very animated one, going on between our Brother 
Wheelock, Ohio State Missionary, and Prof. A. M. 
Craft, of the Western Keserve Seminary, under the 
control of the Methodist church. Both are young 
men of fine ability, and good debaters. Wheelock is 
very excitable and nervous, but a good reasoner and 
clear thinker, and holds his opponent well to his work. 

(173) 



174 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Prof. Craft, is steadier of nerve, better posted on 
his subject, evidently having given it a great deal of 
attention. Uses exhortation for effect, rather than 
argument, and frequently, very personal; in fact, both 
parties are. On the whole, from what I have heard, 
Brother Wheelock has held his own remarkably well. 

We were called here to give four lectures and read- 
ings, as well as tests, and when it was understood that 
we were to be on hand, the church people clubbed 
together, and imported the Rev. Mr. Graham, a genu- 
ine Methodist Badger, from Pennsylvania, to meet us. 

On reaching Farmington, on April 9, 1869, we found 
Union. Hall full to overflowing, and Brother Wheelock 
speaking. Soon it was Prof. Craft's turn. On arising, 
and after learning that we were in the house, under 
our magnetic presence, he, Prof. Craft, was made to 
cry with a loud voice, " Wilson! Wilson!! whale! 
whale! ! " This man's cry reminded us of the days of 
Jesus, and the man among the tombs, and evidently 
the Professor was as badly affected by our presence on 
this occasion, as the evil spirits were at the presence 
of Jesus. 

In the evening, we met our Badger, but received no 
bites or scratches of any account from him. 

During the evening, we referred to a man near the 
desk: " You are a bundle of fish hooks done up in a 
package of sand paper," and then gave our explanation 
of the symbol, which was accepted as true by all 
present. 

During the next day, this man called on us for an 
explanation of what we meant, which was readily 



FAKMINGTON, OHIO. 175 

given, and after this, we said: " Sir, to-day, when in 
jour seat there," pointing to the place, " we saw with 
you a young woman about eighteen or twenty years 
of age, holding in her arms a child about three months 
old. She held it out to you and said, not yours, but 
your wife's. What do you know of this?" 

He answered, " I have never lost a wife nor a child." 

" We did not say that you had lost either. Now, 
sir, we will describe this woman," and did so, and then 
the child, adding, it is a boy. 

Again, he repeated, " I never lost either." 

"We did not say you did; but, sir, we now ask you, 
are you not living with a woman who buried her first 
husband, and a little boy three months old?" 

" I am," he answered. 

Again, we asked, " Have you not buried a sister?" 

He answered, " Yes, I have, but your description 
does not answer for her." 

" Will you describe her? " 

He did so, and agreed with us in every particular; 
after which, he went over to the enemy, and told them 
that he had been told by Wilson, that his spirit wife 
had appeared to him, standing by his side, holding in 
her arms a little boy three months old, saying, " Your 
boy, yours," and that, too, in the face of the fact, as 
all his neighbors knew he had not lost a wife nor child. 

In the evening, when Father Graham came to reply, 
he used our statement in this wise: "This world- 
renowned medium from Chicago, this man greater 
than Christ, gives us a spiritual test. Here it is, and 
I have it from the man he gave it to, who is a re- 



176 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

spected citizen and a Christian man, well known to 
you all, and there is not a word of truth in it. It is 
this : ' I see by you, your wife, and she holds in her 
arms a little child, and says it is yours, and they died 
long ago.' This like every other Spiritual test, is a 
humbug, and there is no truth in it, and our friend 
has never lost a wife," which was followed by a great 
laugh. 

Our turn came soon, and we asked, "Who is your 
authority for this statement, Mr. Graham ? " 

He answered, " Mr. Hashmord." 

" Is Mr. Hashmord in the house?" 

He answered, "Yes, sir, I am here; what do you 
want f ' 

"Did you make this statement, Mr. Graham has 
read this evening ? " 

" Yes, sir, I did." 

"Did I tell you thus?" 

"Yes, sir, you did." 

We then turned to the audience and repeated what 
we told the man, and asked him if this was not what 
we told him, and he answered, " Eo." 

We then turned to the audience and asked, " Is 
there any one in the house who heard us make this 
statement to Mr. Hashmord?" and there stood up 
fifteen men, and all stated that which we said was true, 
and that which Graham, the minister, had said, was 
false. 

" Well," said Graham, " Hashmord told me so ; " after 
which Mr. Hashmord very imprudently called us to 
account before the audience, stating: "You said that 



AN EVENING WITH THE SPIRITS. 177 

I had lost a wife, and everybody knows I have 
not" 

We answered, "You have lost a wife, and your 
spirit sister says you abused your first wife to such an 
extent that she was compelled to obtain a divorce from 
you; hence, you have lost a wife; and, sir, your spirit 
sister tells me much more about you." And then Mr. 
H. drew his head into his shell. 

The discussion was an able one, and we are told by 
good judges that Brother Wheelock came off with 
honors well earned. 

On Tuesday evening following, the friends of 
Spiritualism made a donation visit to Brother Whee- 
lock, from which he realized fifty-two dollars. Alto- 
gether, it has done good, and our cause has lost 
nothing, but gained grandly. 



CHAPTEK XXI. 

AN EVENING WITH E. V. WILSON AND THE 
SPIRITS. 

The lecturer, whose name is at the head of this 

correct history of an evening spent in communion 

with the spirit world, Mr. Wilson, claims to see, hear 

and describe spirits — to give correct life histories, as 

11 



178 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

well as important events and incidents in the life of 
individuals who come before him. And certainly, so 
far as our experience goes, he has maintained his 
claims, and proved himself a medium of no mean 
capacity. He came to our place on Monday, the 27th 
ult., ostensibly to rest. But at once, without invita- 
tion or pay, he began to give remarkable facts and 
tests in the lives of whomsoever he met. He lec- 
tured to large and intelligent audiences on the even- 
ings of the 28th, 29th and 30th, giving on each occa- 
sion wonderful tests, as well as most correct readings 
of character. On Friday evening, December 1, he 
offered to give a seance at my house in order to 
demonstrate his powers as a medium, as well as his 
power of control over the human will, under spirit 
influence. There were sixteen persons present — 
many of them influential families of our town, 
and members in good standing in our popular 
churches. Amongst them were two or three of our 
best physicians, and what is more to the point, only 
two or three of those present could be called Spirit- 
ualists. The only conditions required by Mr. Wilson 
were cheerfulness, pleasant and lively conversation, 
and entire freedom from reference to any one present. 
His only request was, " Sit promiscuously around the 
room — let me take my own course;" or, to use 
Balaam's language, "And he took up his parable, 
and said, Balaam the son of Beor, hath said, and 
the man whose eyes are open hath said, He hath 
said which heard the word of God, and knew the 
knowledge of the Most High, which saw the vision of 



AN EVENING WITH THE SPIRITS. 179 

the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his 
eyes open." 

After some more comments, Mr. Wilson said, " I 
see a boy by the side of that young lady. He is about 
twelve or fourteen years old, of medium size, light 
complexion, and has been dead about two years, and 
says he is her brother;" a truth, and all recognized 
the fact. Then he continued, " I hear the cars run- 
ning very rapidly — there is a crash, and many are 
hurt; here comes one who was killed by this acci- 
dent." He then minutely described him, saying, " he 
belongs to this place," another fact, and we recognized 
him. In the meantime, a lady and gentleman came 
quietly into the room and took their seats. These 
persons are members of the church, and Mr. Wilson 
had never seen them. When seated, Mr. Wilson 
turned to the man and said, "A boy from spirit land 
came into the room between you and the lady, ancl 
said, ' My father and mother.' " Turning to the au- 
dience he said, " It is the boy I saw with the young 
lady a short time ago." Correct again. 

Turning to Drs. T. and L. he said, " I see by you a 
stout, thick-set man, five feet eight or nine inches in 
height, dark complexion, dark brown hair, heavy 
brows, large mouth and coarse features. He stands 
by the side of Dr. T., and looks at Dr. L. and then at 
Dr. T., and then across the room to Capt. B. He 
knows the doctors, and looks at them with a heavy 
ugly frown on his face, full of temper and hatred, 
and his arms folded across his breast. He changes 
his position, and shows me his person. He was killed 



180 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

three years ago, in a row. He was shot — shot three 
times; first, here, in the right breast; second, here, in 
the right side, just above the hip; third, here, through 
the head; either of the shots through the breast or 
head were fatal. Gentlemen, you were both present 
at the autopsy.'' " Correct," said the doctors, " and 
your communication is true to the letter." "Yes," 
said Capt. B., "I knew him well, and he served in 
my regiment. I gave him leave of absence, during 
which he was shot, and his name was Frank Adkins." 
Mr. Wilson resumed, "Here is the boy Henry, the 
stepson of Dr. S., whom I saw last night at the lec- 
ture; and here is the young girl, from spirit land, 
whom I described as being with Henry last night, and 
Dr. L. She is your daughter Almira. She thought 
a great deal of this boy Henry, and it was her that I 
saw Dr. S. stand by the bedside of, when sick or dying, 
eight years ago. Doctor, she died of milk sickness." 
He then described the house, room, furniture, even 
the bedstead on which she died. He then described 
the cow from whom the milk was taken. When asked 
how the boy Henry died, he replied promptly, " He 
was drowned." Now, all this communication is true 
to the letter, and proved so by most of the parties 
present, and especially by the parent, with the excep- 
tion of the cow, there being no knowledge of such a 
cow to any one present, save that the cow might have 
belonged to a neighbor, and gave the milk that caused 
the death of Dr. L.'s daughter. Again Mr. Wilson 
said, " Dr. L., three years ago there came a man, a 
physician, up to you in a great passion, and accused 



AN EVENING WITH THE SPIRITS. 181 

you of doing him a great wrong, of which, you was 
not guilty; it was about a patient, a soldier." Here 
Mr. "W. described both the doctor and the soldier, all 
of which Dr. L. identified. 

To Mrs. Dr. T., Mr. Wilson said, " Sixteen years 
ago, Madam, you were seized here in the right side, 
with a terrible pain, and you suffered intensely. What 
nave you to say — is it true or not?" " I shall answer 
no questions," said Mrs. T. " I don't care a snap of 
my finger, whether you do or not," said Mr.* W. " It 
is, however, due to those present that you acknowledge 
or deny the fact." " I shall do neither," said the lady. 
"Ah !" said Dr. T., " I am honest enough to own up, 
if Mr. W. tells me the truth; now is it true that such 
a thing occurred with you at the time specified? If 
so, own up." " Well, yes," said the lady, " there was." 
To a blind man he said, "From your boyhood, say 
from six years old, up to the present time, you have 
been under the control of spiritual powers, and have 
frequently been guided by these invisibles." Mr. W. 
then gave a succinct history of this man's life, as well 
as incidents in the lives of many others, with wonder- 
ful and startling accuracy. He then described many 
spirits whom we recognized beyond a doubt, amongst 
whom was the father of Capt. B., as well as two wives 
that Capt. B. had buried. . 

Truly we could say with the woman of Samaria, " I 
have met a man that told me all that I ever did. 
Come and see; is not this the Christ?" And truly 
did we feel that we were " surrounded by ministering 
angels." 



182 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Thus passed a pleasant and happy evening with 
E. V. Wilson and the spirits, and were we to repeat 
all the facts and communications given by him while 
with us, it would be a volume of facts more strange 
than fiction. Our people are very much roused upon 
the subject, and anxiously look forward to another 
visit from Mr. "Wilson and the spirits. 

One more fact is worthy a place in this record. It 
occurred here, in this place. In the midst of his lec- 
ture on Thursday evening, Mr. Wilson said, " There 
just came into the room two spirits, (he described 
them most accurately,) and they were killed here by 
the citizens, shot for supposed or real complicity with 
a rebel raid made some time ago into this neighbor- 
hood." This was as true as truth itself. Where does 
the power come from? A good Methodist brother 
answers this question correctly, when he says, " This 
is of a surety from the spirit world, and these are they 
who have preceded us into the land of the hereafter." 
Fraternally thine for Truth, 

a>. f. b. 

Newburg, Ind., Dec. 3, 1865. 



CHAPTEK XXII. 

A FEW FACTS FROM SPIRIT LIFE. 

Lecturing in Danville, N. Y., on Monday evening, 
January 25, 1860, we saw and described, as follows: 

Fvrst. We see, by the side of this man, a spirit. 
In life, he was a soldier [describing him fully] ; he is 
your cousin, or nephew, and was killed in 1863. 

Answer. I had a nephew who was killed, as you 
described. 

Second. By this woman was a spirit lady, very 
beautiful indeed — a cultivated and refined soul. 
[We described her very minutely.] She calls you 
sister, but we do not think she is your sister, but a 
friend and playmate of your girlhood days. She died 
very suddenly, at seventeen years of age. 

After a little thought, she answered: "No; I can 
call nothing to mind, and have no idea of any such 
person." 

"A failure," we promptly replied; "let it pass." 

" No," said the spirit, " it is not a failure; she will 
remember me; I am Emma Francis." 

This we did not repeat, but went on with our facts. 

The next evening, the lady to whom the communi- 
cation was given, called on us, at the pleasant home 
of Mrs. Little, and voluntarily said : " I have called 
to correct the statement made by me last night, at the 
hall. I have identified the spirit you described, and 

(183) 



184 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

your description of her was very correct indeed. She 
4ied when she was seventeen years old, and we were 
as dear to each other as sisters could be, and her name 
was Francis." 

" Emma Francis," we heard a voice say. 

"It may have been," said the lady. 

"Why did you deny this last night?" said Mrs. 
Little. 

"Because I was sure that she was nineteen and past, 
when she died; and Mr. W. was so positive that she 
was but seventeen, that I concluded that it was not 
my friend and sister Francis; but, on reaching home, 
I found, from her biography, that he was right." 

Here is but one of the many cases of spirit tests, 
independent of the mind of the party to whom it is 
given — a clear case of spirit history, corroborated by 
written evidence, and outside of the memory of either 
medium or party to whom the communication comes. 

They that have ears to hear, let them hear, and eyes 
to see, let them see and understand. 

Third. After the lecture, and before the audience 
had left the house, there came the spirit of a sweet, 
pretty little girl of three or four years of age, and 
touched me, in her innocent, child-like way, and said, 
only as little angels can say, " Tell my papa that I am 
here," and then left me, and stood by the side of an 
old, gray-haired man; and as she took her place by 
his side, she was changed, in the twinkling of an eye, 
to a magnificent angel woman, wrapped in Heaven's 
mantle of white, and with love beaming from her 
eyes, she laid her white hand on the shoulder of the 



A FEW FACTS FROM SPIRIT LIFE. 185 

old man, and said: "My father, I welcome thee, and 
in joy greet thee from my spirit home." And then, 
bowing her spirit form to the wrinkled brow of the 
old man, kissed him and disappeared. 

We called the old man's attention to the fact, and 
he turned, looked at the place where the angel daugh- 
ter had stood, and said : " She is my daughter, and 
died when four years old." 

Fourth. On Friday evening, January 29, 1869, 
after the discussion had closed, several friends followed 
us to the house of Mrs. Little, with whom we stopped, 
for a social chat ; and, among others, came Dr. and Mrs. 
P., who, by the way, are not Spiritualists. "While in 
conversation with them, we heard the voice of a 
woman say, "Dr. P.; I want Dr. P." 

We turned toward Dr. P., and we saw, as follows: 
First, a splendid female form — one of the finest we 
ever saw; then we saw a room and its contents — 
among other things, a low-posted bedstead, with the 
woman on it that we had seen .standing by the side of 
the Doctor; she was in a night-dress, open in front, 
with frill border reaching from pit of stomach up to, 
and around, her neck, and same kind of border around 
the wrists; her face was full, flushed, and indicative 
of good health. She was handsome, and lay in unrest, 
with eyes closed; her hair was loose, and lay in 
masses over the white pillows, and its lustrous brown 
black was in marked contrast with the whiteness of 
the pillows; the bedstead stood out from the walls; 
and I saw her lips move, and heard her moan, " Why 
don't you call Dr. P.?" 



186 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

I then saw, by the bed, an old man of seventy 
years, hair white and thin on the top of his head.. 
[Described him minutely, even to his cane, and ob- 
served that he was a conceited, strong-willed man.] 
By him stands a much younger man, stout, thick-set, 
dark hair, dark complexion, and, apparently, about 
thirty-five years of age. These men are doctors ; and 
now, Dr. P., I see you by the side of the bed, in con- 
sultation over the woman; you each make a diagnosis ; 
yours is rejected; theirs is acted on. The woman 
died, and now her spirit stands by you, and says, 
" Dr. P., could I have had you in the beginning of 
my troubles, I should have been in the form to-day." 

Doctor, this was twenty-two years ago, and you 
were twenty-six years old, and the woman about 
twenty-two or three. Answer; yes or no. 

Says the Doctor: "Twenty-two years ago, I was 

opening up a practice in the town of , and was 

called the ' new doctor,' and there occurred just what 
you have related. I was twenty-six years old, and I 
differed with the two doctors you have described, and, 
on the death of the lady in question, demanded a jpost 
mortem examination, which was conducted by two 
disinterested physicians, who sustained my diagnosis, 
thus sustaining my professional reputation. Your 
communication is wonderfully correct." 

" Yes," said Mrs. P., in a sad voice, a I knew the 
woman well; she died in child-birth, and her form 
was pronounced, by the doctors who made the post 
mortem examination to have been the finest they ever 



SKANEATELES. 187 

"All of these things ye may do, and much 
more, if ye have faith as large as a grain of mustard 
seed." 

O, ye Advents! who believe in Jesus as the Son of 
God, why do n't you do these things, or else expel the 
demons that do them? Ye are of the Sadducees — 
blind leaders, leading the blind. 

"Woe unto you, Sadducees, hypocrites, liars." — 
Jesus. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Skaneateles — The Lake — The Village — The Reading of Cap- 
tain M. — The Four Wives. 

SKANEATELES. 

Skaneateles! Who is he, what is he, where does 
he live, and what does he do? 

Be patient, dear readers, and we will tell you all we 
know about him, and that is not much. 

Skaneateles was once an Indian Chief, of the Onon- 
daga tribe, and was drowned in Skaneateles Lake, 
New York, many years ago, while under the influence 
of King Alcohol, the Prime Minister of Civilization, 
and is now a spirit, acting through mediums, to coun- 
sel the children of those who robbed him and his 



188 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

tribe of their homes and birth-right; to cure the lame 
and the sick — coming, with peace and love in his 
nature, to those who despitefully used him — and is 
an angel of mercy, clothed in love, seeking to do good 
unto his enemies. 

And is it not a wonderful fact, that the savage 
nature of the Indian, on becoming a spiritual being, 
is lost. He is changed to an angel of mercy, and, in 
our experience with spirits and Spiritualists, during 
fifteen years, we do not remember of ever meeting a 
bitter, revengeful Indian spirit. We wish we could 
say as much of the spirits of white men and women. 
This much for the Indian. 

Skaneateles Lake is a beautiful body of water, some 
sixteen miles in length, narrow and deep, clear and 
pure, situated in Onondaga county, ~New York, south- 
west of Syracuse some eighteen miles, and is resorted 
to, during the heat of summer, by the rich, the gay, 
and the sick, from every part of the Union The 
sloping shores are noted for their American rural 
character and pleasant scenery, and, in the future, 
must become the " Como," or " Windermere," of 
America. The country is well improved around it, 
and on its banks are many fine mansions, and its 
waters are used for mechanical purposes. 

Skaneateles Tillage is a flourishing little town of 
some fifteen hundred inhabitants, situated at the foot 
of the lake, and known, far and wide, for its con- 
servative element. Hitherto, Spiritualism has had 
but little foothold here, being kept under by a system 
of religious lies and phrases, such as, " It is the work 



SKANEATELES. 189 

of the Devil," " It is free love," " It breaks up fami- 
lies, 5 ' as well as "What good will it do? " 

The last question is the language of folly; the 
others, the language of theology, bigotry, and super- 
stition k 

And now that we have told you all about Skaneate- 
les — Indian, lake and village — let us tell you some- 
thing of Spiritualism, for there are Spiritualists here, 
and more than the churches are aware of. Hearing 
of the great revival work going on in Buffalo, Syra- 
cuse, and many other places, under our ministration, 
a call was extended for us to come and help, and for 
four days we have been teaching, explaining, and 
demonstrating the precepts, practices, and facts, of 
immortality. 

Our first lecture, on " The Bible," was clearly dem- 
onstrative of the fact that this book belongs to the 
Spiritualists. 

Our second lecture, on " The Law of Spirit Control," 
all declared to be one of the ablest lectures ever deliv- 
ered in this village. 

Our third lecture, " Diabolism, or the Devil," car- 
ried the place by storm. 

Our fourth and last lecture, "G-od in the Past, 
Present, and Future, Theologically and Spiritually 
considered and contrasted," swept everything before 
it; and, what is best of all, as well as approval of the 
speaker's position and ability, is in the fact that the 
meetings were self-sustaining, the receipts being more 
than the expenses. 

Aside from our lectures, we gave one public and 



190 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

one private seance, giving many fine tests, from which 
we select the following: 

" Captain M. First, I see by you a fine-looking 
little girl, about six years old," describing her care- 
fully. " Second, there is with you a spirit by the 
name of Antoine Baptise, a Portugese sailor, who 
says he was with you, in a terrible storm, off the 
coast of Spain, in 1836, and was subsequently lost off 
the Cape of Good Hope. Third, there is with you a 
man — an Irishman — a sailor ; you are at sea off the 
coast of Ireland, when the man mutinies; you are 
called forward ; the man seizes a handspike from the 
capstan stocks, and makes a, blow at you, just missing 
you and nearly killing a man near you ; this man is 
now a spirit. Fourth, there is a man with you," de- 
scribing him, " who gives me the name of Edward 
"Wilson, and says he was the first officer of the ship 
' John Adams,' that he knew you well, and that you 
and he were together in Liverpool, England, in 1832. 
Fifth, there is with you a very stout old sea captain, 
who gives his name as Stubbs, of Maine, and says 
that you and he sailed out of New York together, in 
1828, he in the ship i Caledonia,' and you in a merch- 
antman, for the East Indies. And now, sir, do not be 
offended at what I am going to say. There is here, 
on your right, a woman ; just behind you, and over 
your head, a second woman; on your left, a third 
woman." Here we entered into a very minute and 
graphic description of the women; after which, we 
said: "There are two others here, one of them I be- 
lieve to be your daughter; the others say they are 



SKANEATELES. 191 

your wives; and yet, sir, I see a fifth wife in the 
form, by your side." 

Response. All you have told me is true. The little 
girl is mine, and died at five. Antoine Baptise I 
knew well, and a famous good man he was ; I learned, 
subsequently, that he was lost by shipwreck. 1 recol- 
lect the storm off the coast of Spain, in 1836, very 
well. The Irishman and the mutiny I also remem- 
ber, and that he came very near killing me; it was 
off the coast of Ireland. First Officer Edward Wilson, 
of the ship " John Adams," was an intimate friend of 
mine, and I remember the meeting in Liverpool very 
well. I remember the ship " Caledonia," and of my 
sailing for the East Indies, in 1828, but cannot bring 
to mind Captain Stubbs, and friends. In regard to 
the spirits of these women, that have been described, 
it is minutely true. He has described my second, 
third, and fourth wives in every particular. I am now 
living with my fifth wife. I have always doubted 
Spiritualism, and have never been a Spiritualist, but I 
cannot deny these things. I am a stranger to Mr. 
Wilson, and this is his first visit to our town. He 
could not have been told of these things, for there is 
no one here that knew of them. 

We gave very many other fine tests during our 
visit, in all about seventy -five, and many of them as 
marked as those connected with Captain M. 

Here we have repeated the scene that occurred at 
the well of Samaria, only that this time it is a man 
and five wives ; then it was a woman with five hus- 
bands. These things were not done in a corner, nor 



192 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

are they based upon our testimony alone. They 
were witnessed by many persons, and those, too, unbe- 
lievers. And we may say, in the language of Captain 
M.: "I cannot deny; I must believe; I have no 
longer any doubt." 

We are in possession of the names of many who 
witnessed these things, and are prepared to prove 
them. 



CHAPTEK XXIY. 

BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 

First. May 4th, at Bonaparte, Iowa, before a full 
house, we turned to a stranger, and said, " We see by 
you a man," fully describing him. " He holds out to 
you the left hand, and on the index finger there is an 
irritation, angry and swollen. The hand and arm are 
immense. We now see him on his bed; you and five 
others are around the bed. He is terribly swollen. It 
is a fearful sight, and at his death and some time be- 
fore, he was a living mass of putrid matter. He 
died twenty-six years ago this summer, and we get 
the name of Webster. What do you know of this 
statement?" 

He answered: "Twenty-six years ago this spring 



BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 193 

and summer, I was practicing medicine in Southern 
Illinois, and was called to see just such a man, and in 
every particular it is wonderfully correct. His name 
was Webster. The cause of his death was malignant 
erysipelas, or what was then known as the black 
tongue, but in this man's case it began on the fore- 
finger of the left hand." 

We asked, "Is there any collusion in this matter 
between us?" 

He answered, somewhat tartly, " I am Dr. George, 
and never saw this man, Wilson, before." 

Second. May 9th, at Ottumwa, when lecturing, the 
spirit man or form of the late Major Fulton came 
and stood by his brother-in-law, and was fully identi- 
fied. This good Methodist passed on not long ago, 
and at the time of his departure for the Summer Land, 
was surrounded by a great many immortals, many of 
whom he fully recognized as relatives, friends and old 
acquaintances, besides many he did not know. 

We here append an article in favor of Spiritualism^ 
clipped from the " Des Moines Valley Gazette," pub- 
lished at Eddyville, May 5, 1870. We are informed 
that John Wilcox, the editor, is a Methodist. 

" Be always ready to give an answer to every man 
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you." 
1st Peter, iii: 15. 

" Do you believe the statement of 'Amicus,' in his 
delineation of the remarkable death of Major C. E. 
Fulton, and if so, was it not a mere phantom hallu- 
cination of his diseased brain?" 
13 



194 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" This and similar questions have been asked us 
since our publication of the 'Amicus ' Courier article. 
"We answer that we do believe emphatically, the state- 
ment, and give as a reason for our belief, the fact that 
its truth is vouched for by the newspapers, with many 
of the good citizens of Ottumwa, who were personally 
cognizant with the (to some) strange phenomenon. 
To admit the facts, as stated by 'Amicus,' and doubt 
the reality of the manifestations to Major Fulton, 
would be to doubt the veracity of that Christian gen- 
tleman in his last assertions upon a dying bed, and 
virtually denounce the Bible, with all history, written, 
oral and traditional, to say nothing of the testimony 
of millions of good and tru thful men and women now 
living, who bear testimony to constantly recurring 
incidents, no less strange in their developments than 
was the case in question. In furtherance of the 
' reason for the hope within,' we need not advert to 
the world of corroborative testimony outside the 
Bible, but a few of the many quotations that might 
be adduced from its sacred pages, will suffice. See 
the following Scriptural passages : 

" 'And there came two angels to Sodom at even, and 
Lot, seeing them, rose up to meet them.' Genesis 
xxix: 1. 

" 'And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo ! 
three men stood beside him.' Genesis xviii: 1, 2. 

" 'And the angel of the Lord found her (Hagar) by a 
fountain of water in the wilderness * * and said, 
whence earnest thou?' Genesis xvi: 7. 

" ' This Moses whom they refused * * did God 



BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 195 

send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the 
angel which appeared to him in the bush.' Acts vii: 35. 

" 'And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God 
met him.' Genesis xxxii: 1. 

" 'And as he (Elijah) lay and slept under a juniper 
tree, behold then an angel touched him, and said unto 
him, 'Arise and eat." 1st Kings xix: 5. 

" ' Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and he 
saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way.' Num- 
bers xxii : 31. 

" ' While I was speaking in prayer, even the man 
Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the begin- 
ning * * touched me about the time of the even- 
ing oblation.' Daniel ix: 21. 

" 'And she said, an old man cometh up, and he is 
covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it 
was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the 
ground, and bowed himself.' 1st Samuel xxviii: 14. 

'"Fear came upon me and trembling, which made 
all my bones to shake. Then the spirit passed before 
my face. * * It stood still, but I could not discern 
the form thereof. * * I heard a voice saying, shall 
mortal man appear more just than God?' Job iv: 14, 
15, 16. 

" Speaking of the rolling away the stone and the 
raising of Christ, Matthew says, 'The angel of the 
Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone 
from the door. * * His countenance was like light- 
ning, and his raiment white as snow.' 

"Luke says, 'The stone was rolled away. * * 
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young 



196 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white 
garment.' 

" Mark says, ' They entered into the sepulchre and 
found not the body of the Lord Jesus, * * and 
much perplexed thereabout, behold two men stood by 
them in shining garments. * * And they said 
unto them, why seek ye the living among the dead?' 
Matthew xxviii: 2, 3; Mark xvi: 4, 5; Luke xxiv: 3, 4. 

" 'And behold, there' talked with him two men, 
which were Moses and Elias.' Luke ix: 30. 

" 'And there arose a great cry, and the scribes strove, 
saying, we find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or 
an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against 
God.' Acts xxiii: 9. 

" 'After this I looked, and behold a door was opened 
in heaven ; * * and I heard a voice as it were of a 
trumpet talking with me, which said, come up hither.' 
Revelations iv: 1. 

"'And I John saw these things and heard them; 
and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship 
before the feet of the angel which showed me these 
things. Then saith he unto me, see thou do it not; 
for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren, the 
prophets; * * worship God.' Revelations xxii: 
8,9. 

" In the above quotations, the terms, ' angels,' ' an- 
gels from heaven,' ' angels of the Lord,' ' men in shin- 
ing garments,' ' men in long white garments,' ' men 
of God,' ' man,' 'the man Gabriel,' 'thy fellow ser- 
vant,' etc., are used interchangeably, and thus neces- 
sarily signify the same spiritual beings. This is clearly 



BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 197 

set forth in the account of the * angels of the Lord/ 
that appeared to Manoah's wife. In the history of 
this spiritual appearing, he is once called the ' man 
of God,' and three times a ' man.' So the Evangel- 
ists, speaking of the Marys coming to the tomb, Mat- 
thew says the stone was rolled away by ' the angel of 
the Lord from heaven,' while Mark, in referring to the 
same matter, calls this angel of the Lord a 'young 
man,' and describes him as clothed ' in a long white 
garment.' These men of God, or angels from heaven, 
were once mortals — the fathers, the mothers, the sis- 
ters and the brothers of earthly friends; and hence 
their abiding interest in, and deep sympathy for, the 
loved of earth. Pure love is immortal, and cannot die. 
It merely buds below to blossom in paradise. With 
a soul alive to this love and sympathy between the 
physical and the immortal world, Jesus beautifully 
said, < There is joy in the presence of the angels of 
God over one sinner that repenteth.' 

" The preceding Scriptural passages, with numerous 
others, declare in the most positive manner possible 
that an ' angel ' touched Elijah, under a juniper tree; 
that the ' man Gabriel ' touched the prophet David ; 
that Samuel, in spirit-life, ' perceived ' and held con- 
verse with Saul; that a spirit passed before Job's face, 
and he heard a voice ; that a spirit or angel spoke to 
Paul; that such rolled the stone away from the tomb, 
opened the iron gate, and unloosed Peter's chains; that 
an angel conversed with John on Patmos, that proved 
to be his 'fellow servant'; and that the two men, 
Moses and Elias, long in spirit-life, appeared and 



198 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

talked with Jesus on the mount, in the presence of 
Peter, James and John. Now, then, if these things 
transpired in the past, why not now? Has God 
changed? Have the heavens over us become brass? 
Have angel powers become palsied? Have divine 
laws changed ? Does a blade of grass grow different 
now from what it did in Moses' and the Savior's 
time? Will not an alkali and an acid unite now, and 
by the same law as in the Bible ages? Do not the 
same laws that governed matter and mind, angels and 
spirits, in . the prophetic and apostolic ages, govern 
them now? Admitting the unchangeability of God 
and His laws, nothing can be more evident ! Then 
the logical inference is indisputable, that angels and 
spirits can and do manifest themselves to mortals 
now as in the past; thus verifying the Scripture 
promises : 

" i These signs shall follow them that believe.' 

" And ' Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end 
of the world.' 

" Yes, we believe that the Great Captain, with his 
angel crew, manifested themselves to Major Fulton 
as his enfranchised spirit was embarking on ' the old 
ship Zion,' which was then shoved off from the mun- 
dane shore, to sail for climes Elysian. Were we to 
believe otherwise, we should doubt the soul's immor- 
tality, and be wretched indeed. Yes, ' Lord I believe, 
help thou mine unbelief " 

Third. May 12th, at Ottumwa, Iowa, we held a 
seance. Gave fourteen readings, and many tests. We 
turned to an old man, saying, " There are three chil- 



BELIEF IN IMMORTALITY. 199 

dren with, you, two boys and a girl," describing them, 
and giving the time of their death. The man was 
Mr. Millisach, and in every particular the statement 
was true and confirmed. 

Below we append the criticism of Editor Wilcox, 
on " Modestus." It is good and full of point. Why, 
Brother Wilcox, don't yon know that " Modestus " is 
true to his nature, and only waits an opportunity to 
enter his own kingdom and bray through Balaam's 
ass. 

" Modestus," ostensibly a Sadducee, in adverting to 
the "Amicus" article in the " Ottumwa Courier," 
feigns to think Major Fulton a great dupe, jester, or 
deceiver in the hour of death. His sophistry, if ad- 
hered to, would undermine the faith of nine-tenths of 
all believers and destroy their tangible hopes of im- 
mortality; leaving mankind to grope in darkness, 
without a ray of heaven's sunlight, in a world over- 
shadowed and obscured by atheism. To prop bis 
sophistry he places the Creator in the category with 
His creatures, who, when compared to the Infinite, 
would not bear the relation of a mote to a continent, 
and quotes, " ~No man hath seen God at any time," a 
fact which though in and of itself is undisputed by 
all, yet in the abstract has nothing to do with the 
question at issue. The fact that no man ever saw 
God, is no evidence that no man ever saw his fellow 
man. Such " reason " may do for atheists, but it does 
not argue well for a believer in immortality. 



CHAPTEE XXV. 

MEDIUMSHIP DEFINED. 

Dr. T. J. Lewis, of Chicago, writes me, asking, 
"What are the physical, or spiritual, requisites by 
which mediumship is made to exhibit itself through 
the human body?" 

The Doctor writes, " I have asked many times, and 
of various parties, and yet the question is unan- 
swered. Will you answer? " 

I answer, that I can only give my views from spirit 
teachings, and a long and practical experience. 

First — Mediumship depends not on mind, but on 
matter. Every mind in the animal kingdom is sub- 
jective to spirit influences, be it man or beast, when 
the skin, or outer covering, of the animal will warrant 
it. The quality of the mind will always determine 
the character of the phenomena. If you want the 
physical phenomena only, you need not pay much 
attention to the quality of the mind, or quantity of 
the medium's brains, or culture thereof. A flea can 
draw three times its own weight ; so can a man ; this 
is a phenomena of muscular strength only, and com- 
mon to life everywhere. Spirit phenomena depends 
on the conditions of the physical man, not his mind ; 
the cuticle and nerve, not the brains. 

Second — Phenomena is two-fold — physical and 
mental; the physical may be divided into classes: the 

(200) 



MEDIUMSHIP DEFINED. 201 

first, having motion, without intelligence; the second, 
intelligent physical action. The purely mental, that 
which draws word pictures — the teacher, poet, and 
thinker. 

Tidrd — Man has three physical peculiarities not 
found in any other animal. We will class them, as 
follows: First — the cold clammy, or sticky, skin — 
all persons having this peculiar cuticle — are good 
subjects for spirit influence, the mesmerizer, revival- 
ist, penitentiary, lunatic asylum, and prostitution; not 
in that they are more exposed. They are subjective 
alike to good and evil influences. From this class of 
the human family, comes all of our physical mediums: 
the Davenport Brothers, the Ferries, the Misses Lord, 
and others. All of these have brains enough to keep 
to their physical mediumships. H. Melville Fay, Yon 
Yleck, Bly, McQueen, and others, are good mediums, 
but lack standupativeness — cannot stand tempta- 
tion — hence, fall into the hands of the Philistines, 
and betray their Master. All of these have cold, vis- 
cous, sticky skins. This condition of the system 
being a good conductor, hence, accessible to spirit 
influence, and are easily affected by animal magnet- 
ism, or spirit electricity. Hence, any man or woman 
possessing this viscous outer skin, a spirit can influ- 
ence, to a greater or less extent, for physical phe- 
nomena. 

Second. Persons having warm, viscous skins, are 
also subject to influences of a mental character as a 
rule, perspire freely; of this class, come our poets, 
philosophers, sweet singers, and seers. And out of 



202 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

five hundred mediums that I have met, all the physi- 
cal mediums have the cold, clammy cuticle, and the 
mental ones, the warm, viscous cuticle. 

Third. All persons having a dry, warm, silky cuti- 
cle, free from viscous conditions, are not mediums — 
cannot be influenced by man, or spirit, through ani- 
mal magnetism, or spirit electricity. With this class 
of the human family we find our tyrants and bigots — 
men and women, wanting in soul sympathy ; here are 
found our misers, and cruel try reigns triumphant; 
the Borgias, Catharine of Russia, Nero, and Jeffries 
of England, and others, are of this class, or conditions 
of nature. 

Under these conditions of insulation and non-insu- 
lation, lies the nervous system, always ready to con- 
duct any imponderable element to the brain, that can 
penetrate through the skin, or natural covering of the 
nervous system. Hence, through animal magnetism, 
we send our thoughts and history over the nervous 
system to the brain of the medium, and, according to 
his or her insulation, the history will be correct, or 
incorrect. And when we get that which is not known 
to the medium, or in the mind of the applicant for 
spirit information, then we are en rapport with the 
spirit world. The properties used for this purpose 
are: first, animal magnetism, generated entirely in 
and of the human system — the odd force in our 
natures ; second, electricity, under the control of spirit 
intelligence, is the imponderable property through 
which they reach us, acting directly on the brain, 
through the nervous man. 



MEDIUMSHIP DEFINED. 203 

Regarding my own mediumistic powers, I feel, 
first, the continuous flow of animal magnetism, until 
my nervous system is ready for a communication. 
Then comes the signal, "Are you ready?" I flash 
back from the brain, "All ready." Then, in quick 
succession, comes thought; each thought accompanied 
with an electric concussion, or beat; and, sometimes, 
so rapidly that I cannot speak them as fast as they 
are given; hence, confusion frequently takes place. 
Hence, my conclusions are, that mediumship depends 
on matter — the physical man — for its phenomena, 
and not the mind ; and the imponderable properties 
used are: first, animal magnetism; second, electricity; 
the one of the human system, and the other of the 
spiritual system. 

Proof. Writing has been done without human 
contact, and yet the presence of the medium required ; 
ponderable matter moved; the ring-feat accomplished; 
musical instruments played on ; water produced in a 
dry room ; the formation of a physical body of human 
shape; the formation of flowers, as well as picture- 
drawing; and yet, not one of these phenomena has 
ever taken place outside of the joint action of mortal 
and immortal beings, and the confluence of animal 
magnetism and spiritual electricity — the one of man, 
and the other of spirit. Healing of the sick is accom- 
plished by spirits ejecting from the patient the dis- 
eased fluids of his nature, and the injection of a 
healthy, electrified animal magnetic current of and 
from the healer. 

Revivals are produced through the same laws, and 



204 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

the medium ship of the minister is a necessity for their 
God to send the Holy Spirit (? ) through; and it is a 
fact, that the best revivalists most frequently have but 
little, if any, brains ; and the converts, instead of get- 
ting the spirit of God, get the magnetism of the min- 
ister, and are as he is, until they are in confluence 
with an electrical current and spirit control; and then 
comes the Holy Ghost, so called, and they pass from 
under the minister's control; and whenever this con- 
dition is reached, in the revival, the convert sees 
spirits, and talks with them, as we Spiritualists are in 
the habit of doing. 

These views are ours, in regard to the laws of nie- 
diumship. 



CHAPTER XXYI. 

A Remarkable Spirit Phenomena — A Spiritual Incident — 
Remarkable Phenomena — Came at Last. 

A REMARKABLE SPIRIT PHENOMENA. 

William P. Parker, of Yates City, Knox county, 
Illinois, says: 

About twelve years ago, my wife, Julia, was at- 
tacked with inflammatory rheumatism of a malignant 



A REMARKABLE SPIRIT PHENOMENA. 205 

type, and for twelve weeks was entirely helpless, being 
under the care of Dr. John Gregory, of Farmington, 
Illinois; he had given her up, and publicly stated that 
she could not get well. On a certain day, the Rev. 
Mr. McGee, a Methodist, then carrying on a revival 
meeting in Livola Center, Illinois, called at my house, 
saw my wife, examined her (he having studied medi- 
cine), and said: "She will not live beyond three 
o'clock this afternoon, for mortification has already 
taken place, and she is now dying," and in public 
made a statement to that effect. This examination, 
by the Rev. Mr. McGee, was made on Monday morn- 
ing, at ten o'clock. 

My wife said: "If spirits could come back and 
assist those who suffer, I would be much pleased if 
they could, or would, come and help me." 

At this time, her limbs were very much swollen, 
and, of herself, she could not move them, and, when 
moved by others, suffered terribly. She had but 
finished the words, when she was seized by some in- 
visible power, and, without the help of others — no 
one being within five feet of her — was lifted off of 
the bed some four feet, and then let down, turned over 
and back, exercised in every possible way and manner, 
for the space of thirty minutes, when, to our great 
surprise, the swollen condition disappeared, her limbs 
became natural and limber, and all pain was gone. 
Soon after this phenomena, Dr. Gregory called. We 
told him what had taken place. He was very much 
surprised — examined his patient very carefully, asked 
us many questions, but left no medicine, simply say- 



206 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ing, when he left : " You will request the phenomena 
to take place again to-morrow, at the same time it did 
to-day." 

On the next day, a little before the time for the phe- 
nomena to repeat itself, Dr. G. came, and the same 
thing occurred again, in his presence. The Doctor 
was not fully satisfied of the cause, but very much 
surprised at the results, as well as the phenomena; it 
came again, and we saw it for the third time. My 
wife was cured, and that, too, without any medicine 
being given. 

Dr. Gregory wrote out an account of the whole 
transaction, making a clear statement of the case, 
and sent it to the medical faculty, at Chicago, with 
whom it remained for some time, and then was re- 
turned to him with this reply: "It is beyond our 
knowledge, and we have no precedent to which we can 
refer you." 

Note. How strange it is that so wonderful a phe- 
nomena should take place, and known to the medical 
faculty, and not have publicity. Are not the blind 
leading the blind? And yet the case of Mrs. Wm. 
Parker is as well established as the fact that U. S. 
Grant is President of the United States, and, no 
doubt, by and by, when another such case occurs, and 
it is placed in the hands of the medical faculty, they 
will shake their heads very wisely, and return it to the 
writer with, " We have no precedent, hence it is not 
worthy of our notice." But how different it would 
have been had this occurred to the wife of Abraham, 
Isaac, Jacob, or Solomon. We are, as Christians, 



A SFTBITUALISTIC INCIDENT. 207 

willing to believe the story of Samson and his foxes; 
of Elisha and his ax-pole; of Jonah and his great 
iish; but doubt this phenomena at our door, and 
with any number of witnesses living who saw it and 
are willing to testify thereto. 



A SPIRITUALISTIC INCIDENT. 

We clip the following rich incident from an old 
California paper. It is worth reading: 

The male and female media, who make a business 
or pleasure of holding consultation with disembodied 
spirits, for those who are not similarly gifted, but 
whose curiosity leads them to seek a glimpse "be- 
yond the veil," have some curious experiences occa- 
sionally, and meet now and then very eccentric 
clients. There is a medium of the gentle sex, who 
does business, we believe, on Howard street; to her 
there came, inspired by the universal curiosity, a rev- 
erend divine, of this city, skilled in theology, and at 
home in the Asiatic languages. It was his firm de- 
termination to expose this humbug, and destroy, as 
Paul did of old, at Ephesus, the profits and emolu- 
ments of all who minister to "strange gods." The 
simple preparations were made; the little plain, lac- 
quered table was placed in position, and the customary 
scraps of paper laid before the visitor, on which to 
write his questions. The medium did not seem much 
discomposed by the sanctified appearance of the gen- 
tleman, nor did her nerves tremble when she became 
aware that he was testing her " familiars " in what 



208 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

was to her an unknown language. She had confidence 
in her " spirits." The questions were put in Hindo- 
stanee, Sanscrit, Arabic, Persian, and all sorts of 
strange languages. The reverend scholiast was air- 
ing his learning admirably, and, as he thought, to the 
complete discomfiture of the poor little medium. 
But he was mistaken ; for back from the spirit w T orld, 
or somewhere else, came, in the same languages in 
which the questions were put, full and most satisfac- 
tory answers. 

The questioner stared. He was sorely puzzled, 
while the medium sat calm and unmoved, with a 
stray sunbeam, from the partially-curtained window, 
glistening in her rich blonde tresses. 

The divine tried her powers again and again, until 
his mind was in a state of bewilderment; and he was 
fain to acknowledge, to himself, that he had signally 
failed in his attempted exposure. He arose to leave, 
but could not retreat without a parting word. 

" Madam," said he, turning to the medium, who 
had risen with him, and was standing demurely by his 
side, "your art is from the Devil; abandon it, for the 
sake of humanity and your own peace of mind." 

Then there came a new light into the eyes of the 
hitherto quiet medium — the light that shines when 
the temper is aroused. 

" Doctor," said she, in calm, but decided, tones, 
" you, I presume, are a minister of some church in 
this city, and you make a living by the practice of 
your profession. I simply do the same thing by the 
exercise of my peculiar gift. It may be right, or it 



REMARKABLE PHENOMENA. 

may be wrong; I do not presume to argue that point. 
Let it rest. But I may say this: If, as you assert, the 
gift is from the Father of Evil, does it not follow, 
from the promptness and correctness with which your 
answers came, that your friends must have a very near 
relation to that much-abused individual?" 

This was too much for the Doctor. He was beaten 
at all points. With a muttered "Good day," he 
passed out into the street, and the medium saw 
him no more. 

Are we wrong in supposing that the little golden- 
haired lady had a quiet laugh to herself after the 
remarkable interview was over? 



REMARKABLE PHENOMENA. 

The following remarkable test and communication 
was given to the writer in 1854, at the house of John 
Swain, Esq., in the city of Toronto, C. W. There 
were present, Mr. and Mrs. Caulkens, Thos. Ander- 
son, Eichard Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Swain, and others. 
It was on a winter evening. The circle came to order 
at eight o'clock. After a little, there were raps, and 
the voluntary movement of matter; then we were 
ordered to darken the room; then came lights — some 
red, some blue, and some yellow; after which, there 
were vivid Hashes of light frequently illuminating the 
room, to such an extent that we could read large 
primer print on the wall, anywhere in the room. 
We were then ordered to sit in a circle and join our 
hands ; we did so ; after which, the air began to move 
14 



210 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

as if the room was full of fans, all in motion; soon 
there came something, in the form of a great bird, 
and alighted on the head of each — that is, each in 
turn — moving its wings like unto a great bird. This 
continued for some minutes, when the circle was or- 
dered to kneel ; we did so, and the room was full of 
light — sometimes quite steady, and then in flashes — 
after which, one of our number was ordered to kneel 
in the center of the circle; then came a crown of 
light — that is, a series of circles of light — and rested 
on his brow; resting there a moment, it then assumed 
the form of a wreath, a trifle less than his head, and again 
rested on his head. During all this time the utmost 
quiet was maintained, for all were absorbed in wonder 
and surprise. This condition continued for about fLv$ 
minutes, and then came the baptism. Water fell, or 
was sprinkled, on and over each one in the room, and 
that, too, when there was no water in the room. 
Silence continued yet a little longer, and then one of 
our number (Sister M. Swain), under an excellent 
influence, spoke, to the following effect: 

"Brother: The winged angel of ancient wisdom 
hath joined the ranks of modern progression, and 
these twain now call on thee to take up thy parable 
and work for humanity. Be brave and fearless; be 
faithful and true; your work is for eternity." 

Then speaking to all, she said: "Brothers and sis- 
ters, join hands, and form the circle of peace and love 
around our brother." 

After a little, she again said: "Angels of Peace, 
Angels of Light, Angels of Health, Angels of Truth, 



CAME AT LAST. 211 

Angels of Strength, Angels of Courage, Angels of 
Life, around our brother gather, and impart to him, 
each in turn, that which thou hast for him, that he 
may be endowed to do the work before him in truth 
and love." 

Then came the baptism once more; after which, 
came that wonderful influence which makes our circle 
a heaven on earth, and, with one mind, we felt that it 
was good for us to be there. And then our brother 
responded : 

" Father in Heaven, brothers and sisters on earth, I 
promise to work for thee and humanity, and faithfully 
do the right." 

After this, came three grand flashes of light, and 
the angels left us. For a few minutes, we were silent, 
then arose, shook hands with each other, and, in love 
with our glorious gospel, we went to our homes, feel- 
ing that we were a little nearer God and the Summer 
Land. 

Note. The above is the only instance in our expe- 
rience that we have had dealings with spirits having 
wings, and feet like birds. If others have met 
with similar incidents, we would like to hear from 
them. 



CAME AT LAST. 

In 1860 and 1861, we were itinerating through 
Northern Wisconsin, and, when lecturing in Water- 
town, there came to us a spirit, saying: 

" I was a peddler, and was murdered in this place 



212 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

years ago, by a woman and her companion, the 



woman being the principal actor." 

At the time, there was no confirmation of the com- 
munication, save a vague rumor of a peddler who had 
disappeared suddenly, and that was but a rumor, and 
we put the communication on the list of failures. 

Subsequently, while at Madison, there came to us a 
man, asking if we remembered lecturing in Water- 
town. We replied that we did. 

" Do you remember the communication regarding 
the murdered peddler? " 

We replied that we did, but that it was a failure. 

" By no means," he said. " Some time ago a 
woman died, in Michigan, and on her death -bed 
confessed to the murder of a peddler, in Watertown, 
Wisconsin, and that she buried him in a cellar under 
the house she lived in. On receipt of the news from 
Michigan, the people remembered your communica- 
tion." 

Here is another proof of the truthfulness of spirit- 
ual communication, and an independent one. How 
strange that the churches will reject the fundamental 
truth of eternity — the fact of a hereafter — a life to 
come. Everywhere the priesthood are making vigor- 
ous efforts to crush out Spiritualism and install the- 
ology ; yet, but for Spiritualism and the spiritual facts 
of the Bible, there is no evidence of man's immor- 
tality. 



CHAPTEE XXYII. 

Electricity and Religion — Christian Generosity — Brick Bats 
and Theology — Baptized into Glory. 

ELECTRICITY AND RELIGION. 

The Kev. Aaron Bickley, late of Ohio, now of Salem, 
Illinois, relates of a revival: "That a young woman 
became rigid and fixed in position, standing erect, 
during a 'revival meeting he once attended in Ohio; 
after standing thus for some time, her hand was sud- 
denly raised to a position on a level with her shoulder. 
At the time this took place, there was a young man 
on the anxious seat under conviction of sins ; he was 
suffering mentally. On his kneeling down to pray, 
this young woman suddenly turned toward him, 
pointing her finger directly at him. At this he cried 
out with a loud voice, as if hurt, sprang to his feet — - 
ran out of the house in seeming great alarm. After 
which occurrence, no persuasion of relatives, friends, 
or ministers could induce him to return again to the 
church. He stated that it seemed as though he had 
been hit with an electric current. This woman would 
turn and point at A., B. or C, and they were at once 
under her power, and would leave the anxious seat 
from under our (the minister's) control. All whom 
she pointed at instantly received an electric shock. 
We had to separate these persons from the religious 
portion of the house, placing them in a house by 

(313) 



214 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

themselves, and when separated, she, or those under 
her influence, could tell readily who was converted, 
who was under her control, and who would next be 
converted. It was a strange electrical phenomena, 
and beyond our comprehension and control. We 
deemed it evil, because it laughed at our power, as 
well as took away from us our converts." 

The above is in substance a story told us at Salem, 
Illinois, not long ago. 

In the meantime we will give our views of the mat- 
ter. In all revival meetings there are three physical 
conditions with the people: 

1. That texture and condition of the cuticle, that is 
dry and silk-like, is positive, in fact non-conductors 
of odd forces, mesmeric influences, animal magnet- 
ism, or electricity. Such as these are never revival 
subjects. 

2. The warm, clammy cuticle, which are natural 
conditions, can be affected by either or all of the 
above influences, are never very rabid or loud-mouthed 
in their religious experiences; they are the conserva^ 
tives in religious revivals, and are seldom excitably 
affected, usually calm under conversion. 

3. The cold, clammy cuticle: Such as these are the 
best revival subjects; first on the anxious seat, loud- 
est in their shouts, full of glory, get sanctified very 
easily, and lose all their gettings as readily as they 
receive it. All such are good subjects for good or 
evil influences ; subjects alike for the penitentiary, the 
lunatic asylum, prostitution, intemperance, and the 
revival meeting. They are magnetic conditions, hence. 



ELECTRICITY AND RELIGION. 215 

easily affected by any of the influences referred to 
above; the subtle force of which permeates the whole 
system of the being, bringing him or her into sin, or 
virtue, and so long as the evil or good producing the 
influence is present with the victim, the victim is a 
prisoner. 

In the case referred to by the Rev. Aaron Bickley, 
the young man was only under a partial animal mag- 
netic influence, and had a warm clammy cuticle, and 
his influence was entirely of and from the minister, 
and had never been nearer heaven than the brain of 
the tallest minister at the meeting. Hence, he was 
under their control, magnetically. 

The young lady was non-insulated, had the cold, 
clammy cuticle, was fully and thoroughly magnetized 
by the minister, and arising for the purpose of com- 
ing forward for prayer, she came in contact with a 
spirit electrician, who took her out of the hands of 
the minister and all on whom this spirit could con- 
centrate his electric battery, through her magnetism. 
The same were subjective to her and the spirit, or, to 
the spirit through her. It does not follow that the 
spirit or the influence was evil, but, on the contrary, 
good. And that it was of God is patent, inasmuch 
as it was superior to, and independent of, the minis- 
ter, or the revival. If ministers would study the law 
of influences a little more, and theology a little less — 
if they knew a little more of man and less of meta- 
physics — they would know more of God. 

If they Were well posted in electrical laws, they 
would not talk of electricity as they do, for whenever 



216 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

they make an electric current intelligent, they place 
an operator at each end of the electric chain, and if 
the receiver is in sight the giver must be beyond. ■ 

If any clergyman or other person can give a better 
solution of Mr. Biekley's story, we should like to re- 
ceive it. 



CHRISTIAN GENEROSITY ILLUSTRATED. 

Dr. Tyng, Jr., preaches the gospel to the poor in 
New Jersey, and is tried for a misdemeanor for viola- 
tion of a canon of the Church, and is suspended from 
his holy profession. Are the following words from 
Jesus found in the canons of Dr. Tyng's church? 
"And the gospel is preached to the poor." Matthew 
xi: 4. 

Mr. Stuart, of Philadelphia, introduces instrumental 
music into the services of his church, and the church 
authorities expel him. Dr. Stuart's church evidently 
have little confidence in the musical proclivities of 
the inspired Psalmist, David the King, for he says, 
"Let them praise his name in the dance; let them 
praise his name on the timbrel and harp." Psalms 
cxlix: 3. Again, "Praise ye the Lord; praise him 
with the sound of the trumpet; praise him with the 
psalter and harp; with the timbrel and dance; with 
the stringed instruments and organs; upon the loud 
cymbals." Psa]ms cl. 

The Methodists of London, Nebraska, turn the mem- 
bers of the Christian Church out of doors, and that, too, 
after the Christian people had contributed of their 



CHRISTIAN GENEROSITY ILLUSTRATED. 217 

means to build the church. Question. Which of 
these denominations will God side with? 

The Presbyterians of Salem, Illinois, are holding 
meetings in the Baptist church. The church takes 
fire during the revival and burns up. The Presby- 
terian folks then built themselves a nice church, and 
dedicated it to the Lord, and bless the Lord that they 
have a house of their own. The Baptist people 
rejoice with them, and come to worship in their 
Presbyterian brethrens' house. 

"No, no," say the Presbyterians, "we cannot let 
you into our church. It would not be right for us to 
thus desecrate the Lord's house." 

" But look here," say the Baptist folks, " we let you 
into our house, and you burned it up, and we do not 
want you to pay for the house, but only to let us in 
out of the cold." 

"But, my Baptist friends, we did not burr? your 
house; God, in his merciful Providence, done it, that 
you might see the foolishness of your ways, and re- 
pent you of your plunging follies. It is now a warn- 
ing, and you should heed it, and leave your cold 
water baths, and come under our sprinkling pot, and 
then there is no danger of your getting cold, or 
getting drowned. But, so far as your preaching 
or holding meetings in our house, that is out of the 
question." 

The Presbyterians of Salem evidently do not believe 
in Jesus or his golden rule. 

And we advise the Baptists hereafter to accept of 
the gospel of Spiritualism, and worship in public 



218 THE TEUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

halls, and then they will have no churches to be 
burned up by the Lord, because they let Presbyterians 
hold revival meetings in them. 



BRICKBATS AND THEOLOGY VS. SPIRITUAL FACTS 
AND ARGUMENTS. 

In the spring of 1868, we lectured in Clarence, 
Missouri, a thriving little town on the Hannibal and 
St. Joseph Railroad. The people have built a nice 
little church for Sunday meetings, and after our 
engagement, they called on the minister for the use 
of the house, the trustees being willing. 

" No sir," said the Reverend Steal, "cannot let you 
in." 

" But," said the applicants, " we are citizens here, 
and help support preaching." 

"Tlfat does not alter the case. You cannot have 
the Lord's house for the devil to teach in." Well, 
this ended the matter, so far as the house was con- 
cerned. But when we came, we had to go into a 
small hall not half large enough for the audience. 
Some of the trustees proposed to take the church, 
will ye, nil ye. As a Spiritualist, believing in the 
golden rule? (for we would not like any one to break 
into our house.) Hence we declined to speak in the 
church. 

Well, the Rev. Mr. Steal opposed our meetings, 
advised the people to keep away, for it was the work 
of the devil. But the people came, they saw, and 
heard, and believed, and called for more lectures. 



THEOLOGY VS. SPIRITUAL FACTS. 219 

On Monday, the second of November, we lectured 
again in Clarence, with increased audiences, in a new 
hall. And not satisfied with refusing us the church, 
they treated us to a dose of brickbats and stones. 
When in the midst of our discourse, with all the 
brain of Clarence with us, there was a crash. Many 
thought it a pistol. Glass was scattered in every 
direction. The fine, large window was, in short, 
ruined. The missile was thrown by some one outside 
of the house. Who threw it? Echo does not answer 
* — reason and logic does. 

Let us see facts. The Radicals and Spiritualists were 
all in the hall. The minister was not in the hall, nor 
were the faithful few of his church. He had refused 
us the church. He had advised the people to keep 
away from our meetings. He had pronounced our 
teachings of the devil. He believes the devil should 
be surprised, and accepts the logic of Moses. Who 
threw the brickbat? 

Echo does not answer. Logic does. It is all right, 
my religious friend. Continue to do thus. You only 
lack the power to crucify. You are willing to do any- 
thing in the name of your Christ, for you believe him 
capable of and willing to forgive your every offense 
done in his name. Give us a few more brickbats, for 
every one you give us makes converts to our side, and 
the one you threw in Clarence added a dozen to our 
cause. Refuse us the house of God to lecture in, and 
let it to a political rabble, or a negro minstrel com- 
pany. How true the adage that " Birds of a feather 
flock together." 



220 THE TEUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

BAPTIZED INTO GLORY. 

We clip the following from an Atchison (Kansas) 
paper, of October, 1868: 

"A man named Stephenson was drowned in the 
Piatt river, last Sunday, at Savannah, Missouri, while 
being baptized." 

Will the minister who officiated at this awful trag- 
edy explain how it came about? Why did you drop 
him, Mr. Minister? And why did you go into such 
deep water? Oh holy man! what will his wife and 
children say (if he has any)? But his friends and 
the public. How do you clear your skirts of the 
crime of manslaughter? You may answer that it 
was his wish to be baptized. Granted, but he did 
not ask you to drown him. Far from it. 

Again: You coaxed him, plead with him, prayed 
with him; yea, verily, frightened him into letting 
you baptize him, and you took the poor fellow down 
into the water and drowned him. Suppose we, the 
Spiritualists, had done this, would you let us off? Not 
a bit of it. You would have given us fits, and then 
dosed us on hell-fire for a full eternity to cure the fits. 
All your papers would have had a double-leaded edito- 
rial, of four columns' length, on the evils of Spiritual- 
ism, and every soul of your church, and all other 
churches, would have been clamorous for the trial and 
execution of the villain who drowned a man baptizing 
him spiritually. But it is a horse of another color 
when it takes place in your church ; and no doubt you 
will console his friends with the holy thought that in 
ducking your brother under the water you ducked 



THE CAUSE IN PHILADELPHIA. 221 

him into heaven. Well, well, we hope you did. But 
look out, Mr. Minister, and take a light with you 
whenever you go to bed, or you may meet a wet sheet 
one of these nights, and they are cold and unpleasant 
things to sleep with. 



CHAPTEE XXVIII. 

The Cause in Philadelphia — The Prayer Gauge. 

THE CAUSE IN PHILADELPHIA. 

We have had Wheeler and Wilson with us during 
February, 1870 — not they of sewing-machine noto- 
riety — but, as some of our theological friends think, 
they belong to the Ripping Machine Company. Old 
theology suffered some by the scathing words of these 
noble men. It was their first appearance in the City 
of Brotherly Love. Brother Wheeler lectured for our 
society, and has earned for himself the reputation of 
being not only a clear, bold, and logical thinker, but, 
What is still more important, in this practical age, a 
very able and practical lecturer. The complaint which 
we heard against him was, that he crowded too many 
thoughts into his lecture. 

The spirits who use him seem determined to do all 



THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

they can, to scatter broadcast the truths that are to 
redeem the world. We think Brother Wheeler should 
be kept at the work; and the friends who desire to 
have a great amount of thought compressed into a 
small space, cannot do better than to engage him. He 
will stir the pool of Siloam, that the sick may enter 
in and be healed while the waters are troubled. A 
very interesting feature, in connection with Mr. 
Wheeler's mediumship, is the improvisation of poems 
of real merit. 

We need not say anything to the public of our cola- 
borer, E. Y. Wilson, who has been all over the land, 
wielding his sledge-hammer. He has given four lec- 
tures and seances here. From a large number of 
striking tests, we will select two or three. A gentle- 
man from Camden was present, who had been attend- 
ing spiritual meetings and visiting mediums for more 
than thirteen years, and had never received any tests. 
Mr. Wilson stepped up to him, and said: 

" I see by your side a little girl, about three years 
old ; she stands there in a playful manner, passing her 
hand through your hair; she was not your daughter 
nor your sister, but a child to whom you were much 
attached; she died irve years ago last August." 

He then gave a minute description of her. The 
gentleman said: 

" I was living in a family where there was a little 
girl of that description. She died at the very time 
you speak of. I consider the identity entirely 
satisfactory. This is the first test I have ever 
received." 



THE CAUSE IN PHILADELPHIA. 223 

Again Brother Wilson said : 

" I now see standing beside you a tall, slim girl, 
who is your sister; she died at the age of sixteen." 

The gentleman was a stout man. Mr. Wilson con- 
tinued; 

" She is very unlike you — takes after her mother, 
and you from your father." 

He then gave a minute description, which was fully 
recognized, and pronounced satisfactory. 

A gentleman, about fifty years of age, asked Mr. 
Wilson if he did not think he could account for all 
these things by reading the minds of the people? 

" Well," replied Mr. W., " If you could, that would 
be a spiritual phenomenon in itself, but I do not think 
you can. But I saw, while we were talking, an inci- 
dent in your life, which, if you have no objection, I 
will tell the audience about." 

" Not the least," said he. 

" When you were a boy, about eleven years old, you 
were butted by a sheep, knocked down and rolled over; 
he struck you in the back, and hurt you consid- 
erably." 

" That is all very true. I went into the barn-yard, 
when I was just turned of eleven years old, and was 
knocked down, just as you say, and rolled over by a 
sheep." 

This reminds us of an incident that occurred in our 
own experience, some years ago, showing that spirits 
are cognizant of the conditions of animals, either 
directly, or through human beings. We were writing 
a letter to Hannah Brown, just after we had published 



224 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

the narrative of Dr. Ackley. Samuel Paist, a blind 
medium, was sitting by our side. We asked if the 
doctor was present, and, receiving an affirmative an- 
swer, inquired whether he had anything to say to Mrs. 
Brown. The medium, smiling, said: "Why; it is 
very strange; he says:" 

u Tell her I am glad she has got over her dog 
fever." 

In a few days, we had a response from her, in which 
she remarked that this was a very remarkable test. 
There had been a number of robberies in Cleveland, 
and they were desirous of having a watch-dog. She 
had spent considerable time in hunting for one, and 
her milk man had brought one in not an hour before 
the time alluded to by the Doctor, and the animal was 
lying on the rug, asleep, when he made the remark to 
us, at a distance of five hundred miles from the place. 

Many of the old Spiritualists are devoted to the 
alphabet of our philosophy, and seek tests with all 
the eagerness of new converts. We have no contro- 
versy with this, for the sensuous physical manifesta- 
tions are, in reality, the basis on which all of our 
philosophy and religion must rest; and we hail with 
pleasure the abundant evidences which are abroad in 
the land to-day, that the Spirit World is in earnest in 
presenting these most valuable evidences to humanity. 

Let us sustain and encourage our mediums every- 
where; defend them from the poisonous breath of 
slander, and thus enable them to become more perfect 
instruments, through which the angel world may 
shower down blessings on humanity. 



"the prayer gauge." 225 

"THE PRAYER GAUGE." 

Professor Tyndall seems to have shocked Chris- 
tianity in a fearful manner, by his proposal to " meas- 
ure prayer." Everywhere, in churches, conventions, 
and conferences, Christians are disturbed, and are 
denouncing the proposition of the Professor as " athe- 
istic and blasphemous," hence it is rejected. 

Will Professor Tyndall make this proposition to 
the world? First, let a hospital in London, or Paris, 
be set apart for the church ; let the Catholics have full 
charge of one-half the patients, and the Protestants 
of the other half ; let the subjects in the Protestant 
wards be Catholics, and those in the Catholic wards 
Protestants ; and let nothing but prayer and faith be 
exercised in these wards, and, at the end of the year, 
weigh results. Second, let science, through her doc- 
tors, have the full charge of a hospital in the same 
city with our Christians, where there shall not be a 
prayer made during the year, and only such treatment 
as science may determine, and let the number of pa- 
tients be the same, and, at the end of the year, count 
results. Third, give the Spiritualists a hospital in the 
same city; let us have an equal number of patients, 
taking our chances; let us come in with our magnet- 
izers, healers, seers, and clairvoyant physicians, and, 
at the end of the year, weigh results. 

We will not declare the proposition to be " atheistic 
or blasphemous," for we believe in God, science, and 
the pow T er of spirits to heal the sick, and we believe 
in our mediums. 

Christians, in rejecting Professor TyndalPs proposal, 
15 



226 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

you refuse to test the power you claim to receive from 
Jesus ; you deny the teachings of the Old and New 
Testaments, and concede that you are not called of 
Christ, and that you have not the power he gave his 
disciples. 

We, the Spiritualists, have that power — the power 
from God, through spirits who were once men and 
women, who, in the language of John's angel, on 
Patmos, can say, " I am he that liveth, and was dead ; 
and, behold, I am alive forevermore." 

O, ministers of Jesus Christ ! O, Christianity ! how 
are ye fallen! The Rev. Professor Braden said to us, 
in Cleveland, Ohio, in March, 1871, when discussing 
Bible Spiritualism : " Sir, there is the rock of ages — 
the word of God, the Bible — sustained by logic, sci- 
ence, history, and God." Profesor Braden is a Chris- 
tian minister, and believes in Jesus Christ. Professor 
Braden said to us : " When science sustains Spiritual- 
ism, I shall accept it." Science has and does sustain 
Spiritualism; and we say to all ministers of Christ: 
Gentlemen, when you have fully accepted the u prayer 
gauge," laid down by Professor Tyndall, and are fully 
sustained, we will believe in you, and not before. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Lexington, Ky. — A Startling Test — I am in your Hands — J. B. 
Sandusky Testifies — The Doubting Tom Marshall. 

FROM LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, 

In this chapter we present you with the following 
account of our debut in the ancient and conservative 
city of Lexington, Kentucky. 

From what we have seen of Lexington and its peo- 
ple, we are favorably impressed with their kindly 
natures, generous hospitality and intelligence. 

Our audience last night was a thinking one, and 
such an one as we love to speak before. The field 
here is a rich one, and open to the acceptance of the 
truths of Spiritualism. There must, however, be no 
nonsense, cant or hypocrisy preached here. The 
speaker and medium must be prepared to do battle 
With intellectual giants. 

Last night, January 16, 1873, we gave nine tests of 
marked and startling character. To Mr. H. we delin- 
eated his character, and then mentioned four dates in 
his life history, giving incident and details, all of 
which were approved save one. "We then stated, " La- 
dies and Gentlemen : we frankly confess to you, that 
we have been posted in regard to this man's history. 
The parties posting us are two spirits now with him 
■ — one a female who died long ago when a little girl — 
she is now a full grown woman, clothed in a loose 

(227) 



228 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

garment down to the feet. She is a brunette in com- 
plexion, dark eyes, very dark glossj^ hair, features oval, 
hair full and hanging loose over her shoulders. This 
woman is your sister. The other spirit is a man, and 
we believe he is your father, or belongs to your father's 
family. He is tall, of commanding appearance, and 
unlike you in every respect — he is fair, has gray hair, 
is clean shaved, forehead high and full, and was seven- 
ty-five or eighty years old when he left the form. 

" I am in your hands, sir, and you are to prove or 
disprove tins statement. We close the door behind 
us, cutting off every avenue of retreat. What we have 
stated is true or false. What say you?" 

Mr. H. replied: "So far as my character as a man 
may be concerned, I shall leave the people that know 
me to decide. In regard to historical events in my 
life, you have reported them very correctly — save in 
this statement of eight years ago — that I do not 
identify." 

Mr. J. B. Sandusky arose and said, " I have known 
this man from his boyhood up to the present time, and 
I could not have read him as correctly as Mr. Wilson 
has done this evening." , 

We then asked him, "What about your sister?" 

"I had a sister, a young girl, who died in 1833. 
I was quite young at the time, and only remember 
her as a little girl, hence could not testify of her 
clearly from memory. I do not identify the man." 

" Will you describe your father?" 

"Yes; my father was six feet one in height, of a 
commanding appearance, and fair of complexion — 



FEOM LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. 229 

had gray hair, and at his death wore a long full gray 
beard. He died between seventy and eighty years of 
age, and has been dead about eight years." 

" Had your father worn this beard all his life?" 

" No; only a few years before his death." 

Several gentlemen confirmed the accuracy of our 
description of the father of Mr. H., minus the beard. 

"We then turned to Mr. W., saying, "We see by 
you, and between you and the gentleman sitting on 
your right, a young woman," fully describing her. 
" It is our opinion she is your daughter. She does 
not say so. It is only our opinion — have you buried 
a daughter?" 

" No ; I have never buried a daughter." 

" Do you identify this spirit woman as one that you 
know?" 

"No; I do not." 

Turning to the other man on his right, " Do you 
identify this spirit woman ?" 

" Yes ; you have described my daughter, who died 
some four years ago, as correctly as I could have 
done." 

To Mrs. Dr. S. we said, " When fifteen years old, in 
your sixteenth year, in October, you resolved on a 
conclusion — that conclusion has affected your whole 
life, and it was — ' If I cannot have the whole confi- 
dence of avery friend, relative or companion, I want 
none of it; ? further, that conclusion then at the age 
referred to, not only affected you, but another, caus- 
ing you to throw overboard the acquaintance and 
friendship of one, a man every way your equal in life, 



230 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

you detecting this trait of withholding his confidence 
from you." The lady answered, "You are correct, 
exceedingly so ; and I was thinking of the time, the 
party and conclusion as you spoke them." 

We then stated, "Ladies and Gentlemen: there is 
here to-night a man from spirit-life — he is tall and 
of commanding appearance; he was a professional 
man of extraordinary ability, an attorney by pro- 
fession, and stood here in this position — the thumb 
of his left hand in his waistcoat, thus balancing his 
weight on his right foot, the left slightly advanced, 
his right hand hanging at ease, his chest slightly 
thrown forward, head a little to the left and thrown 
back, age about fifty, his hair dark gray, has side 
whiskers, his face and form evidences dissipation of 
which we believe he died some fourteen years ago. 
He was an able and eloquent man. He identifies 
these two men on my left, and knew those parties set- 
ting before me, and then steps over to this old man, 
lays his right hand on his shoulder familiarly, saying, 
? Old friend, does this shake your skepticism in regard 
to Spiritualism?'" 

" Yes, it does," said the man. 

" Did you know the man?" we asked. 

"Yes, I did." 

Then many said it is Tom. Marshall; and all were 
exceedingly surprised. Thus we have opened the ball 
and intend to keep it rolling on and on until the vie- 
tory is won. 



CHAPTEK XXX. 

TESTS AT GREENVILLE, ILLINOIS. 

Greenville, Bond county, Illinois, forty-nine miles 
southeast of St. Louis, is comparatively a new field 
for Spiritualism, and yet there is material in this 
locality for the harvest. All that they require now is 
" the test." It is a thriving place of some 1,000 in- 
habitants, with several churches, and any amount of 
infidelity; and why should there not be, where Chris- 
tians will pay seventy-five dollars a night for a New 
Yorker to make faces for them to look at, and grumble 
at ten or fifteen dollars a night for the Gospel, that 
cheers the soul and points out the way to life eternal; 
and yet, such is the fact, not only at Greenville, but 
all over the country. 

We gave four lectures and a matinee at this place, 
commencing with ninety souls, and concluding with a 
house packed to overflowing; and the cry still echoes 
in our ears, " Come again! come again! " 

In Greenville, we gave many tests of character, life 
incidents, diagnoses of disease, and descriptions of 
spirits, nine out of ten of which were fully recognized. 

To Wm. M. Evans, merchant. " We see with you 
a woman," fully describing her; "she is your wife." 

Mr. Evans said: "This is the first correct descrip- 
tion of my wife that has ever been given by a spirit 
medium, and is strictly correct." 

(231) 



232 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Mr. M., a skeptic, unknown to us — we read his 
character, and gave the important incidents in his life. 
"We then read the antecedents of his family — the 
father and mother — and stated to the people, " This 
statement we have received is given us by the spirit 
of a woman, who says she is his sister." 

Mr. M., as well as those who knew him, said, in the 
main, " You are correct." 

" What about the sister? " 

" I have buried a sister that answers well to the de- 
scription given by the speaker." 

To an old man, after reading his character, describ- 
ing his parents, and telling him which one of his 
family he resembled, we said : " There is with you five 
spirits — an old man and woman ; the man on your 
right, and the woman on your left; the woman is 
stout, fair, and very much like yourself ; she is your 
mother; the other is spare, not stout, five feet nine 
inches in height, very dark, dark hair and eyes ; he is 
your father, and is unlike you. Between these are 
two or three others — one a youth when he left the 
form — he is your son ; the third is a woman ; [fully 
described her;] she does not say she is your wife, and 
yet her interest in you is equivalent to that a wife 
would have in one she had loved as a husband; it is 
our opinion that she is your wife. The next, a girl 
of twenty years when she left the form, is now an 
immortal woman by your side, only waiting to wel- 
come you to her home in spirit life. What say you ; 
are we right, or wrong?" 

" Well, about half and half, as any one might guess." 



TESTS AT GREENVILLE, ILLINOIS. 233 

Ha-ha-ha, and an accompanied laugh, from all over 
the house followed. 

Wait, ladies and gentlemen ; be sure you have some- 
thing to laugh at, and then laugh to your heart's con- 
tent. Now, sir, I want you to answer me correctly. 
What part of the statement made by us is not correct? 

" Well, you have not described my father, for one 
thing." 

" Will you describe him? " 

" Well, he was not as tall, nor as heavy, as I am ; 
besides, he had dark complexion, with dark eyes and 
hair." 

" Yery well, sir. In what does that differ from our 
statement?" 

" You said I was like him." 

" No, sir; we said no such thing; we said you were 
unlike him, and like your mother." 

" Well, you are right there. But I have never lost 
a wife, unless she has died, or run off, since I left 
home." 

" But, sir, we did not say she was your wife. Do 
you identify this woman as a relative of yours ? " 

" Well, you tell." 

"No, sir; we have had our say; we are now after 
what you say." 

"Well, I don't know; I will talk with you some 
other time." 

" No, sir; at no other time, but now. Do you re- 
cognize this young man and woman ? Have you lost 
a son and daughter?" 

"Well, yes; I have." 



234 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" How, sir, about the incidents and life-history 
given by these spirits; is it false, or true? We insist 
on an answer." 

A gentleman rose up, saying: " I will answer. He 
is my father-in-law; and you are strictly right in all 
you have said." 

" Yes, you are about right," said the old man. 

We subsequently saw his daughter, who affirmed all 
that was said, and " the woman you took for his wife 
was his sister, who died at twenty-five," she said. 

To a lady (Mrs. W.), on the breaking up of the 
meeting that night, we said: "There is a sweet little 
one — a child in long clothes — held out in the air 
before you; it is yours, and it entered spirit life a 
child." 

" Yes," said the mother, " it is my darling," and 
the soft, mellow voice of the woman spoke the soul of 
the mother. 

To Mrs. E. " I find with you a spirit, who lost his 
life by an accident — from the fall of some ponderous 
matter. He is a young man. [We fully described 
him.] He is your brother." 

" Yes." 

" We see by us a boy. If living to-day, he would 
be about fourteen years old. He was drowned when a 
child, and some eleven or twelve years ago." 

This child was recognized by many, who knew him, 
The mother and son were both drowned on the same 
day. 

Thus the work goes bravely on, making many to 
think of, if not to believe, the facts of immortality, 



BITTERNESS STILL LIVES. 235 

as made plain by Spiritualism. In fact, the evidence 
of immortality is now demonstrated, and no longer 
are we left to donbt, and compelled to rest our hopes 
of immortal, or continued, life on the testimony of 
the few. The science of Spiritualism is fast sweeping 
from our way, to the Summer Land, the superstitions 
of the past — one by one they disappear: First, an 
angry God gives place to one of love; second, the 
City of New Jerusalem becomes the beautiful Sum- 
mer Land, with flowers, trees, green fields interspersed 
with streams, rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans, all settled 
with islands. Then the Devil, that old horned, hoofed, 
and long-tailed fellow, with his fiery breath, freighted 
with the smell of sulphur, saltpetre, kerosene, and 
blue lightning, has changed, through the teachings of 
Spiritualism, into a very gentlemanly Diakka, living 
in the beautiful Wilderness of Mischief, whose chief 
delight is to impose on the credulity of the Bosto- 
nians and JSTew Yorkers. 



CHAPTEE XXXI. 

THE OLD SPIJRIT OF BITTERNESS STILL LIVES. 

We spoke in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on the 
evenings of February 13 and 14, 1873, to small, but 
intelligent, audiences. 



236 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

On our way to Philadelphia, Saturday morning, the 
15th, we happened to be seated in front of a lady and 
gentleman of Quaker extraction, who were canvassing 
matters and things in general, in a very animated 
manner. We were reading the " Philadelphia Press," 
and, at first, did not note what they were talking 
about. Soon, however, we heard thus: 

" Were you at the Spiritual meeting last night?" 

"No! were you?" 

" Assuredly not. I do not believe in their teach- 
ings. Father, mother, and my brother went, and 
wanted me to go, but I told them, very decidedly, 
that I did not sanction the meeting, nor would I coun- 
tenance it by my presence." 

" What did your friends think of the meeting? " 

"Oh! they said the man was an able speaker, and 
taught from the Bible. But I don't believe these 
Spiritual meetings ought to be sanctioned. What 
will the world come to, if they continue to increase? 
There ought to be a stop put to it! Yes, there had." 

At this point of their conversation, we stepped in, 
saying: 

" My good woman, that is precisely what our Puri- 
tan fathers, in New England, said of you Quakers, 
and they carried their say into effect; they arrested 
your people, fined, whipped, and imprisoned them, 
and, we believe, they hung some of them by the neck 
until they were dead. They did not believe in toler- 
ating Quaker meetings, any more than you do these 
Spiritual meetings. And, Madam, are you not now 
just where these old Puritans were? Did you ever 



BITTERNESS STILL LIVES. 237 

hear a Spiritualist say that Quaker meetings ought not 
to be tolerated?" 

" Oh ! but, sir, those things are of the past. Times 
have changed, and their bitterness toward us has 
passed away." 

"Yes, Madam, those things are of the past, and 
their descendants have changed the spleen and hatred 
of the Pilgrim fathers from the Quakers to the Spirit- 
ualists, and the children of those persecuted Quakers 
have joined hands with the enemies of their fathers, 
and hate the common foe, Spiritualism." 

"Oh, no! not that! We do not hate them, or per- 
secute them, as those Puritans did the Quakers." 

" ~Nol not exactly. You do not stone the Spiritual- 
ists, but you manifest the spirit to do so. You have 
exhibited that old bitter spirit in this conversation, in 
a marked degree. You said, < I will not countenance, 
or tolerate, these meetings, and they ought to be 
stopped.' You do not deal the blow, but you exhibit 
the spirit to do it, and only lack the opportunity to 
do so." 

" But, my dear sir," said her friend, " the Spiritual- 
ists tear the Bible all to pieces ; they do not believe in 
God, and are free-lovers; they throw down all barriers 
between right and wrong; they have nothing for us 
to pin to whatever." 

As he closed his speech, he looked as though he had 
silenced all opposition, but we replied: 

" First, how do you know they tear the Bible to 
pieces? Do you read the Spiritual papers ?" 

"No; I do not." 



THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"Have you attended their meetings?" 

"No; I have not." 

"Then how do yon know they do these things? " 

" Well, it is common report." 

" But, my dear sir, ' common report ' is a great liar. 
And now, as to the free-love question, the only legiti- 
mate free-lovers in the United States, found their 
principles on Jesus Christ and him crucified — they 
deny Spiritualism." 

" But," he asked, " what shall we have to lean upon, 
if you take away the Bible, and have no God ? " 

" My dear sir, you may have just as many Bibles 
and Gods to lean on as you please. We do not accept 
your Bible or your God. Conscience, our guide, never 
fails us when we obey it; and you and this lady have 
nothing else to lean on. You accept God, the Bible, 
and your religion from your internal knowledge of 
right, and then undertake to enforce your views — 
not God's." 

" But, sir," said he, "conscience is not reliable. We 
must have something more to lean upon than the self- 
ish expression of conscience; we must have God, the 
Bible, and his Christ." 

" Do you endorse the Bible and the Hebraic God? " 

" Yes, sir, I do," said he. 

"So do I, sir," said the lady; "and I never trust 
my conscience." 

" No; it will not do," said he. 

" Let us see if you pin to the Bible. Do you eat 
swine flesh?" 

" Yes; but we are not living in those days." 



BITTEBNESS STILL LIVES. 239 

" But you are worshiping the God of those days, 
and have ' pinned ' to the Bible of those days. Do 
you wear garments of mixed materials? " 

" Yes; but what has that to do with it? " 

" It is Bible, sir, and a commandment from God. 
He has never revoked those laws; how dare you do it? 
Are you circumcised ? " 

" No; nor do not mean to be." 

" Well, you must be, if you ' pin ' to the Bible, for 
it is the command of God, and Jesus did not revoke 
the law. Are you willing to go in unto your brother's 
wife, you having a wife, and raise up to your brother 
seed, in case your brother dies without seed? " 

"No; I will not." 

" Then you only i pin ' to such parts of the Bible as 
your conscience, or internal knowledge, will warrant 
you to do? " 

" Well, we certainly mean to exercise our judgment 
in these things." 

"We believe, sir, that this is all the Spiritualists 
demand." 

"Is our conscience an infallible guide?" asked the 
lady. 

" Most decidedly! we have no other." 

"Then you reject the advice of Jesus?" said he. 

"No; we accept it on its merit, for just what our 
conscience is willing to pay for it." 

" Who, then, will be leader? " 

" He that knows the most and is nearest right." 

"Then you reject God and his Christ? " 

"That very much depends on whose God I am 



240 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

called on to accept. If you mean the Hebraic God, 
and his Christ, in the sense they are taught, I cer- 
tainly reject them both." 

"What God do you accept, sir?" 

" The God of nature, who never died, who measures 
all space in a thought, holds all matter on the tip of 
his finger, whose soul is fire, and electricity his nerve 
force — a law in which we live, move, and have our 
being. Man is his mouth-piece." 

" I am sorry to hear you say that, for you cut your- 
self off from his mercies." 

" Whose mercies do we lose ? " 

" God's mercy." 

"What God?" 

"The God of the Bible." 

" But, sir, when did he ever show us any mercy? 
Has he been merciful to these black men, with us? 
Did he exhibit mercy to the poor of Chicago, or the 
French? Has he not sent us delusions, lying spirits, 
earthquakes, deluges, scourges, wars, and pestilence?" 

"Yes; but we deserved it." 

" But, sir, if we deserve it, did he not make us de- 
serve it?" 

" But we have no right to question him." 

"Who?" 

" God." 

" But, sir, you question him every day, and every 
hour. You tell him what to do, and what not to do. 
You, in your prayers, beg him come, and bid him 
bless, at your wish." 

" Philadelphia ! " cried the brakeman, and we parted. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

The Death Scene of Phineas Eames — Under Spirit Control* 
APOTHEOSIS. 

To our friends who rendered us help on the occasion 
of the terrible calamity that overtook our broth er-in- 
law and his family, on the eighth of October, 1871, we 
wish to say, that the work of the fire-king so fearfully 
began at that time, closed up in the birth of Phineas 
Eames into spirit-life from our farm-house, Lombard, 
Illinois, on Saturday morning, June 7, 1873, at 10^- 
o'clock — the anniversary of his fifty -fifth birthday. 

Our readers will remember the account of his ter- 
rible suffering in the Peshtigo and Menominee fires, 
related in Chapter YIL, whereby he lost his wife and 
two children, an only son and baby daughter, and 
himself nearly burned to death — his wonderful pres- 
ervation with his two surviving daughters of twelve 
and fourteen years of age — how in his hour of dis- 
tress, suffering the most excruciating pain and agony, 
ablaze with fire from head to foot, praying that he 
might die and be freed from his sufferings, the angels 
.came (as of old) and ministered unto him, he both 
seeing them and feeling their touch — from that hour 
his pain left him, never more to return, and during 
the days and weeks he lay helpless in the Fire-hos- 
pital, no pain was felt from his burns, and he was a 
16 (M\) 



242 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

living demonstration of spirit power. When able to 
be removed we sent for him to come with his mother- 
less girls and make onr home theirs. They came, and 
for many months Mr. Eames was quite helpless. 

In September, 1872, with the assistance rendered us. 
by generous friends, we placed the girls (Nettie and 
Mary) in school at Rockford, Illinois, under the moth- 
erly care and teaching of Mrs. S. "W". Holem's non- 
sectarian school. In the meantime, Mr. Eames con- 
tinued to improve in health all through the sum- 
mer, besides making himself useful on our farm, as 
far as he was able to do so. 

In November last, he felt a strong desire to return 
to the scenes of his misfortune, and see what could be 
done with the wreck of his once happy home. As the 
State assisted old settlers who wished to rebuild, with 
the assistance thus attained he commenced the work 
of rebuilding, but could not finish. Visiting the 
scenes of his misfortune, recalling the terrible death 
of his wife and children, his exposure to the unusual 
cold weather of last winter, all combined, proved more 
than he could bear, and he sank beneath the pressure. 
Again, we were informed of his very dangerous con- 
dition, friends writing us that he was sick unto death, 
and desired to see his daughters once more, and wish- 
ing to return to our home. On the twenty-third of 
May, Mary went for him, found him better than she 
expected. His physician advising the change; all 
thought it would do him good. On the morning of 
the twenty-ninth of May, Mary returned with him to 
our home, and for a few days he seemed much better, 



APOTHEOSIS. 243 

walked abroad and expressed himself as being very 
happy in being at home again. 

We called in our family physician, Dr. Pratt, of 
Wheaton, who informed us that his stay with us was 
short indeed. "We sent for his daughters to return 
home from their school, and be with their father the 
few days he was to remain with us in earth -life. They 
came on the third of June, and their presence cheered 
and comforted him. He fully realizing his condition, 
talked with the girls, Nettie and Mary, as if going on 
a journey, making every preparation, giving them 
counsel and advice in regard to the future, earnestly 
impressing upon them his desire for them to continue 
their studies, and to prove by their application and, 
deportment their appreciation of all the love and kind- 
ness bestowed on them by teachers and friends. Then 
with heart overflowing with love he commended his 
(soon to be orphans) girls to our continued care, and 
that of their aunt, Mrs. Gould, who willingly assumes 
with us the responsibility of their education. To 
their teachers, at Rockford, together with the ladies 
of Dr. Kerr's congregation, who have so nobly assisted 
us the past year in their education, he sent a father's 
dying blessing and thanks, and felt (with us) that they, 
in their good work, have truly lived and carried out 
the Christ principle of our beautiful Spiritualism. 
God and the angels be with them. 

Each day and hour, he impressed upon us all, his 
firm belief in spirit power to sustain by their pres- 
ence, and cheer him in his birth into spirit-life, and 
as the end drew near, told us what he saw and heard. 



244 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Thursday , evening, he saw a vision of two boats; in 
one was his wife, her mother and sister, and his son 
who was burned. In the other boat was the father of 
his wife, her brother, and brother-in-law, the late 
Ingraham Gould, Esq., of Beaver Dam. They talked 
with him sometime, and on leaving said, " We will 
come again, and the third time will take you with us 
to our spirit home." On Friday, June 6th, he saw 
the boats again, and the friends from Spirit Land, and 
their visit made him very happy, and for some time 
they held sweet converse with him on facts and scenes 
in Spirit Life. On Saturday morning, about sunrise, 
June Tth, his fifty-fifth birthday, he said: 

" Mary, the boat has come for me. It is large, and 
very dear ones are in it." Then quietly, with perfect 
peace in his soul, he stepped into the ferry that car- 
ries us over the river to our home in the Summer 
Land, patiently waiting for the summons to cross the 
river. He then called the family around him together 
with the move of the hand, and taking each one by 
the hand, bid them good-bye, and after resting a few 
moments said, " Friends, I am aware that my time 
here is short, and that soon I shall leave you. I wish 
you all to know that I am a Spiritualist, and trust 
that the time will come when you will all think as I 
do. I am perfectly resigned to the will of God, and 
have not a shadow of fear, and am ready and willing 
to go, only waiting for the summons. I wish it dis- 
tinctly understood, I want no orthodox minister to 
preach my funeral sermon, but a Spiritualist, if one 
can be obtained. I am too weak to say more. I ask 



APOTHEOSIS. 245 

you all to so live that you may meet me over the river. 
Good-bye." 

This was before six o'clock on the morning of June 
7th, Saturday, during the hours of transition, he 
requested music, and some of the family was at the 
piano every moment, cheering him with music till all 
was over. He retained his faculties to the last mo- 
ment of earth-life, reviving every few moments to 
speak a word of cheering love to us, and many times, 
during the hours of transition, he would kiss the lips 
of his daughters, who occupied a place by him, Nettie 
on one side and Mary on the other. Long will they 
remember, as well as all present, the grand sublimity 
of this birth into spirit life. A little before his last 
earth moment the doctor called, and as he came into 
the calm and quiet room where the spirit-birth was 
taking place, Mrs. Gould said, " Brother Eames, Dr. 
Kippax is here." He revived and gave him his hand, 
saying, " It is all over. Good-bye." Then he asked 
for music again, as it had ceased while the doctor was 
talking; who also testified to the soothing power of 
music in this trying hour that comes to all. Thus 
gently he was born into spirit life, entering upon his 
journey over the river without a struggle or a 
groan, and while we were singing a favorite piece of 
his: 

u Joyfully, joyfully ouward I move, 
Bound for the land of bright spirits above." 

The angel friends who stood around him, joined in 
with us, and we heard their voices of praise distinctly, 
and while singing, the last breath here was drawn, and 



THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

his spirit was born into the higher life beyond the 
river, at half-past ten o'clock, a. m. 

Was this death? Call it not death! but life con- 
tinued. We obtained the services of Dr. Julia H. Sev- 
erance, of Milwaukee, to speak words of cheer to the 
living, on the occasion of laying the casket that once 
contained the germ of life, known to men as Phineas 
Eames, away in the ground, on Monday, at the hour 
of evening twilight, June 9th, 1873. 

Many kind friends came together on this occasion, 
listening for the first time to a Spiritualist burial ser- 
vice. Wreaths of white flowers were lovingly laid 
upon the casket by his children and our family as we 
tenderly lowered it to its last resting-place — all real- 
izing fully that he was not in the casket we were 
placing in the ground, but standing with us, our 
spirit brother, and henceforth would become the 
angel guardian of his children, assisting us in their 
culture and development into womanhood. 



CHAPTEK XXXIII. 

A Miracle, or Something Like It — The Lottery and Church 
Gambling — The Death of Ingraham Gould, Esq. — His 
Home in the Spirit Land. 

A MIRACLE, OR SOMETHING VERY NEAR ONE. 

We present our readers with the following letter. 
It is but one of many, in our possession, of kindred 
character. Oh! the blessed joy that sometimes steals 
over us, when reading these proofs of our labor, in its 
effects on our race, and we feel that we have lived not 
in vain. Please read the old man's letter : 

E. Y. Wilson — Dear Sir and Brother: It is with 
gratitude to God, that I remember your labors in 
Wheeling, West Virginia, although my age and state 
of health forbid my attendance but twice. That, in 
respect to your labors, for which I feel the most 
thankful, is the curing of a beloved kinsman of the 
use of tobacco, and all cravings for it. I was pres- 
ent when you performed this miracle, for all that we 
call miracles are performances of a similar kind. At 
the moment that you came down with such power on 
the use of the poisonous weed, all desire for the fur- 
ther use of tobacco left him, and a resolution never 
to use it more, took its place, and has continued with 
him to this time. 

When habitual tobacco-users enter spirit-life, where 
(247) 



248 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

tobacco grows not, do they seek the haunts of those in 
earth -life who are in the use of this poisonous weed, 
in order to gratify tastes formed in earth -life, thus in- 
creasing in their mediums a desire for the use of 
tobacco? May not this account for the difficulty 
many have to disabuse themselves of its use, as 
well as the beginning of an appetite for? Is it not 
even so in the use of whisky, as well as of all other 
intoxicating drinks? Does not this account for the 
difficulty men have in breaking off any fixed habit? 
Does not this same principle operate on all sensitive 
natures, thus preventing their cure? 

In my nephew's case, his mind was impressed with 
such force and power as to expel the demon quite out 
of his taste ; and now he needs spiritual aid to keep 
him to his resolution until such time, that, through 
his growth into a healthier state, he may be able to be 
master of himself. Truly yours, 

John S. Williams. 

Bridgeport, Ohio, February 8, 1873. 

We well remember our aged brother and his kins- 
man, and may the resolution of the latter continue 
through all time. 

We have frequently witnessed the spirits of drunk- 
ards and tobacco-chewers, absorbing from the brain of 
drinkers and chewers the eliminations of that which 
they were consuming; and there is no safety for the 
man or woman who indulges in the use of those 
terrible poisons. That human beings are possessed 
of spirits of kindred natures, who delight in their 



APOTHEOSIS. 249 

intoxicating habits, we know to be a fact, and our 
only safety is in abstaining from their use. 

A second letter, lying before us, identifies a test 
which we deem worthy of record : 

Dear Brother Wilson: I want to say to you that I 
never have been satisfied with my interview with you, 
and my spirit friends. Those tests that you gave me 
had gone so far from my memory that I could not get 
things together right, until I had time to study it up. 
I now can say that you were right, in every particular. 
In regard to the spirit woman you saw and described 
so carefully, those that were well acquainted with her 
say you were right. The test is a fact, and a good one. 

I hope you may drop around again before long. 
Next time, I want to have the pleasure of hearing you 
one night, at least. 

Truly, your brother, G. F. 

Lang Lake, Minn., January 22, 1873. 



APOTHEOSIS. 

Gone on to the gardens of the Summer Land, from 
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in company with the angels, 
Ingraham Gould, in the sixty-first year of his earth- 
life. 

My brother was born into this life at Leeds, Ken- 
nebec county, Maine, on the 19th of January, 1811; 
born into the superior life on the 16th of July, 1871. 

In his exchange from this, to a higher, life, he has 
gained; we have lost a friend and a brother; Beaver 



250 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Dam has lost a citizen that cannot be replaced. His 
genius, enterprise, and ambition, led him to do what 
few men will undertake — that is, to adorn the homes 
of the many, as well as his own. His nursery was 
the pride of the city, and will long remain a green 
and beautiful monument to his memory. Everywhere 
throughout the West, may be found the weeping wil- 
low, the mountain ash, aud other ornamental trees, 
from " Gould's Nursery." 

Fruit trees, bearing rich and luscious fruits, now 
testify to his earnest nature — "We are the works of 
thy hands." Yines, bearing choice flowers and fruit, 
are found throughout the West — enduring monu- 
ments uttering his praise through nature's eternal 
laws — beautiful and silent witnesses. "Oakwood 
Cemetery," a beautiful, shady place, where his ashes 
may rest undisturbed, where the living may wander, 
in spirit holding sweet communion with the past, 
present, and future — the creation of his brain and 
the fruit of his toil — is a nobler monument to his 
memory than all that art could create out of all the 
granite and marble ever produced from the hills of 
his native New England. 

The gardener of Beaver Dam, the nurseryman of 
Wisconsin, has been promoted to the gardens and 
nurseries of the Summer Land. The trees of his 
nursery, in the pale starlight, bowed to the silent 
flowers and wept, as he left for the gardens of Eden; 
and the flowers and trees of the Summer Land re- 
joiced when he came to their blooming paths and 
evergreen glades. " Welcome," the angels cried, " to 



APOTHEOSIS. 251 

our bowers of love ! " Turning, with a loving look, 
toward his beautiful home, in the Summer Land, then 
backward gazing, he saw behind him his own sweet 
home — his home, his flowers, his trees — the fruit of 
his life-toil — and, in their midst, his sons, daughters, 
and wife, all blending their sorrows in the shadowy 
evening hour of their loss. Weep on, dear ones; it is 
well that you should weep, for tears are avenues of 
relief to our over-tasked natures. Then, turning his 
gaze toward " Oakwood," he beheld fifteen hundred 
friends standing, in silence and profound grief, around 
his grave, through the long and imposing service of 
the brotherhood to which he belonged. Then he be- 
held the house in which he had so long dwelt low- 
ered to its last-resting place — himself enfranchised 
an immortal, and knew that he lived to be remembered 
on the shores of time, and in the Summer Land, thus 
fully realizing the gracious gospel of our Christ, 
Modern Spiritualism; for he was a Spiritualist, pure 
and true, and tender in soul. 

To the dear ones left behind, he sends greetings 
from his home divine. 

" My sons and daughters — children mine — I greet 
you from the gardens of Eden — from beyond the 
shores of time. I charge you all, my works continue. 
The nursery keep, and Oakwood, where my ashes rest, 
develop into full fruition, as I designed. 

" My companion, wife, and mate of mine, I thank 
thee for thy devotion and care through the long nights 
and days of watching, while my form burned with 
fever, wasting away. 'T is past, Hannah. With a sud- 



252 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

den shock, nature's wheels stood still, and I knew but 
this: that time had ceased, and eternity began. 

" To all who around ray narrow grave gathered, 
weeping, in spirit I send you greetings. Weep no 
more for me, for 'lam he that liveth and was dead; 
and, behold, I am alive evermore. Amen! ' " 



OHAPTEE XXXIY. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 

On the afternoon of Sunday, September 24th, 1871, 
the following questions were handed us by one of our 
friends. They were written by a clergyman, and 
required an answer. We copy verbatim: 

" Read all these questions before answering any." 

First. Assume that the earth was formed in the 
manner claimed by geologists; were there laws gov- 
erning that formation? Had they any origin? 

Second. Could those laws have had an origin 
without a forming power? 

Third. Could forming power have existed with- 
out an originating or forming mind? 

Fourth. Could mind have existed without a being 
in which such mind was contained? 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 253 

Fifth. Could a being with, a mind having power 
to originate such laws, have been other than a per- 
sonal being, having definite form, size, and location? 

Complying with the request, we answered in detail 
as follows: 

First. Assume that the earth was formed in the 
manner claimed by geologists. "We answer, granted. 
There were laws governing that formation, and they 
had an origin in, first, electricity, or that force or 
principle, which quickens into action; second, heat, 
caloric force, producing motion; third, magnetism, or 
properties of attraction; fourth, gravitation, or that 
which tends to the center, holding all things in place; 
hence these are the laws governing the earth's forma- 
tion. This formation, held in its present position 
through atmospheric pressure, once removed, and 
matter would dissolve its relations, flying off from the- 
center into infinitesimal particles; hence these four 
laws combined produce the phenomena — worlds. 

Second. Could these laws have had an origin with- 
out a forming power? We answer, that each and 
every one of these principles are but parts of one 
stupendous whole. Combined, they produce the 
phenomena, worlds; hence electricity, a subtle fluid, 
purifies; magnetism is attractive; gravitation holds 
together; heat quickens into motion; air sustains, 
gives life. The world, the body and head of these 
combinations, and all animated things the language, 
and inanimate things the supporting properties on 
which animated things depend for life; the world 
forming a basis for all life. 



254 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Third. Could forming power have existed with- 
out an originating or forming mind? We answer, 
mind is power; hence when the west wind blows, it 
is intelligent to the extent of direction and motion. 
It says to the careful observer, " I am traveling slowly 
or swiftly to the east." It further says, "The east 
wind has retired." Now, we can only understand 
this by the law of resistance. The trees, the houses 
and animals are witnesses ; but it is left for man to 
write the fact and define its action. Magnetism and 
the magnetic needle tell what contains iron or steel, 
or points the way to the north, but it is left for man 
to interpret the language of the wind and magnetic 
needle. Is man God? 

Gravitation, one more of the great or God attri- 
butes, although a part of God, was not known ante- 
dating Sir Isaac Newton; hence he has the distin- 
guished honor of telling the world, and God, through 
the world, that he possessed this attribute. We very 
naturally ask the question, had Deity any knowledge 
of this one part of Himself until made manifest 
through Sir Isaac Newton; or was there no man in 
all the world fully capable of mastering this principle 
in nature prior to the time of Sir Isaac Newton? 
Again we ask, was Newton God? For he discovered 
the law of gravitation. 

Fourth. Could mind have existed without a being 
in which such mind was contained? We answer no! 
We now lay down the following proposition: There 
is a revival meeting here in St. Paul, one in St. Louis, 
one in London, one in Chicago, one in San Francisco, 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWEKS. 255 

one in New Orleans, and one in Central Georgia, 
among the plantation negroes, and God is visibly 
present in spirit and in works; and we will further 
suppose that at a given moment God is in mind and 
deed here in St. Paul, to convert A., and at this pre- 
cise moment he is present in these other six places, 
converting B., C, D., E., F. and G. Now, has God 
seven bodies to one mind, and if so, what is the 
connecting link between these bodies and that one 
mind? 

We answer, " God is a spirit, and must be worshiped 
in spirit " ; hence when this spirit power is equally 
developed in all of these places at one and the same 
time, through the proper mediums, the ministers, then 
A., B., C, D., E., F. and G. will feel the power simulta- 
neously — each in his respective city or place; hence 
we see at a glance that one body of matter cannot be 
in several places at one and the same time ; but on the 
other hand, we see that spirit can be present as one 
mind, acting on many bodies at one and the same 
time. To illustrate: In June last, Professor Morse 
appointed a time in which he would bid the telegraph 
operators throughout the world farewell. The time 
came, and the click, click, click of the instrument in 
New York city was simultaneously heard here in St. 
Paul where you are; yonder in Fort Scott, Kansas, 
where I was ; as well as in many, many hundreds of 
other places. Was the body of Professor Morse in 
each of these places, or the mind of the grand old 
man acting through electro-magnetic laws, at one and 
the same time on many bodies? So God, a spirit, can 



256 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

be in many places at one and the same time, acting on 
and through many bodies and minds. 

Fifth. Conld a being with a mind having power 
to originate snch laws, be other than a personal 
being; having definite form, size, and location? We 
answer, no! but ask in return the question, was a 
personal being necessary to the formation of such 
laws? 

Take, for instance, electricity, such as is used by the 
telegraph. Does man make it? Or, is he simply 
the agent bringing certain properties together, from 
which the electric current is eliminated? Zinc, 
copper, and acids will produce what neither will do 
alone. 

Science tells us how the whirlwinds are formed. 
Has the wind a personality, or body ? Has electricity 
a body? 

Fire exists everywhere — is in you, the iceberg — 
water — and water will burn, but God must take the 
form and shape of a scientific man, through whom 
his mind acts, as the mind of the man may determine 
before the water will burn. 

Question, and a very serious one: Did God make 
man, or man make God? Which? Has man any God 
that did not originate in and through the brain of 
man? "In the beginning God created the heaven 
and the earth." Who says so? Moses. How did 
Moses know? The Jews had no such idea. Why did 
not God give Abraham this idea? Why wait three 
hundred and fifty years for an Egyptian scholar to 
discover and write what might have been told Abra- 



A WONDERFUL TEST. 257 

ham in an hour? Who made the African's Obi, the 
Chinese Josh, or the Indian Manitou? The Hebrew 
God is jealous of Obi and Josh, and wishes Ameri- 
cans to legislate against their coming into America. 
Can't you keep Josh or Obi out? 



CHAPTEE XXXV. 

A WONDERFUL TEST AT DES MOINES. 

In the fall of 1871, we were reading character and 
giving tests, through the nervo-magnetic law of spirit 
control, in Spiritual Hall. After reading a skeptic 
very correctly, he asked: 

"Will you read a man of my selection?" 

" Yes," we replied. 

" Then read this man, on my left." 

" We will, in good time." 

After reading the life lines of several strangers, we 
stepped to the man pointed out, and asked him to lay 
the fingers of his right hand on the fingers of our 
left hand, not touching our hand with his thumb. 
This was done. The man was tall, spare, dark in face 
and hair, and was nervous, bilious, sanguine, in tem- 
perament. His touch, to us, was cold and viscous. 
17 



258 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

He was about thirty- three years of age, and outwardly 
appeared to be a man of medium understanding. 
The reading was as follows: 

From twelve to sixteen years of age, this man was 
under strong and powerful religious influences; at 
seventeen there is a change — he becomes a thinker; 
from then till now, he has been religious in the ob- 
servance of truth, law, nature, and science, valuing 
the speculations of men only as they are sustained by 
]aw and nature's truth. He cannot sit under the 
speaking of any powerful mind without being much 
affected by the argument and energy of the speaker. 
He is more than an ordinary thinker; and, while he 
is religious in his observance of nature and nature's 
law, he is skeptical in reference to human testimony. 
I find with him at seventeen years of age, a man — stout, 
thick set, full features, dark complexion, dark hair, 
about forty, or five and forty, years old; he is a 
preacher of the Gospel — a pretentious man, very pos- 
itive, and a revivalist; the action of this man has 
much to do with your present status of thought and 
manhood; he was a bad man, and his actions had 
much to do with forming your present position in 
regard to religious matters; he was not an honest 
man, and did not believe what he taught. This all 
took place far from here. What do you know of this ; 
am I right, or wrong? 

" Kepeat what you have said, carefully," he said. 

We did so. 

" In part you are right; in part you are wrong," he 
answered. 



A WONDERFUL TEST. 259 

" In what part are we wrong? " 

" You have made me a Christian, while I am an 
Infidel, and believe nothing, whatever, of a future exist- 
ence." 

" You are wrong, sir; I have not made a Christian 
of you, but a ' skeptic, in reference to human testi- 
mony — religious only in the observation and worship 
of nature.' " 

" Then you are right, sir, so far as that part of my 
character is concerned. I am the son of a Baptist 
clergyman, and, as you said, e I was under strong and 
marked religious influences from twelve to sixteen 
years of age, and in my seventeenth year began to 
doubt, and became an Infidel,' but you are wrong in 
regard to the honesty of the man you described as a 
minister. I knew him. You have described well, 
but he was honest and earnest in all he taught; hence, 
you see, that you are wrong in your premises." 

At once, we felt an influence of a most marked and 
unpleasant character. We said : 

a Sir, we are right. Let us refresh your memory. 
There lived in your neighborhood, when you were six- 
teen years old, a girl eighteen years of age ; she was 
very fair — almost a full blonde — large blue eyes, full 
and very expressive; her hair was a light brown, 
tinted with auburn, long and flowing; her features 
were oval, regular, and well defined. There was a 
playful vein of mirthfulness ever present in her face; 
she was full of life, and was the life of the company 
that she might be in; she was good and confiding. 
I see her in company with the minister I have de- 



260 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

scribed. He took her away from your place, and 
never brought her back. She is a spirit, and is here 
with you to-night, and gives me this history of her- 
self, her wrongs, of him that wronged her, and all I 
have said of you. What know you of this ? " 

Then, turning to the audience, we said: 

"Ladies and Gentlemen: We rest our case here. 
On this statement we stand or fall ; and the only wit- 
ness under heaven we have to offer in corroboration 
of what we have said is this Infidel. Is it true, or 
false? what say you, sir?" 

For a moment, a wild unrest of excitement thrilled 
the audience — men began to stand up; the Spiritual- 
ists were exceedingly anxious. Our witness sat as 
immovable as a rock, his head downcast, and his face 
resting on his right hand. We turned an anxious 
look toward our witness ; there he sat, in silence. The 
excitement was becoming painful, when, of a sudden, 
there echoed down the hall: 

" Stand up, man ! Let the audience see you I 
Speak! what know you of this. Is it true?" de- 
manded Dr. Connelly. 

Slowly our witness arose, and, turning to the audi- 
ence, said: 

" When sixteen, in my seventeenth year, I was liv- 
ing in Kentucky. When the speaker first described 
the minister, 1 had another man in view, that an- 
swered his description in all things, save that he was 
an honest man, and believed what he taught. Of 
course, this man I had in view does not answer to the 
man the speaker claims to see. I have now before me 



A WONDERFUL TEST. 261 

another man, that fills the description to the letter. 
I knew the girl Mr. W. has described well; I could 
not describe her better. She eloped with the minister 
described by the speaker. The minister came back, 
in about a month, without her. The girl's father 
called on the minister, demanding the whereabouts of 
the girl. The minister replied that ' she was well, and 
at her uncle's, in Indiana.' The friends of the girl at 
once wrote to the uncle, making inquiries in regard to 
her. The uncle wrote, by return mail, that the girl 
was not at his house, nor had she been there. This 
aroused suspicions of foul play, and the neighbors de- 
manded an explanation, but the minister refused to 
give it. In the meantime, the young people, and rel- 
atives of the young woman, determined to search the 
minister. He, getting wind of the affair, shut him- 
self up in his house, and, when they came to search 
him, he attacked them, defeating them, cutting some 
in a terrible manner, and then fled the country. He 
was a bad man. The girl is dead. This man has 
given a correct history of the affair, and I know there 
is not a man in this place that knows anything of this 
affair, save myself. It is true." 

The audience were very much surprised. 

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I 
am alive forevermore. Amen. Rev. i: 18. 

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby 
some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 
xiii: 2. 

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, 



262 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

whether they be of God ; because many false prophets 
are gone out into the world. 1 John iv: 1. 

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the 
prophets. 1 Cor. xiv: 6, 32. 

And thus are the secrets of his heart made mani- 
fest. 1 Cor. xiv: 25. 



CHAPTER XXXTI. 

The Circle for Spiritual Phenomena — How to Form It. 

THE CIRCLE FOB SPIRITUAL PHENOMENA. 

By request we give our views on this subject. 

We hold that the circle is to Spiritualism what the 
class meetings are to Methodism, the prayer meetings 
are to the Baptists or Presbyterians, or what masses 
are to the Catholics. Where there are two or three 
families of Spiritualists in a neighborhood, they should 
meet at least once in two weeks for circle meetings. 
It would be well for them to have a room in the upper 
story of the house, dedicated to this special purpose, 
well lighted, well ventilated, with furniture adapted 
to the uses of the room. The papering of the room 
to be in pale blue, violet, peach blossom, or pink, as a 



CIRCLE FOE SPIRITUAL PHENOMENA. 263 

back-ground, studded with stars of gold and silver. 
There should be musical instruments belonging to the 
room, such as are fully adapted to the use of spiritual 
fingers, rather than lungs — such as the harp, guitar, 
organ, violin, or pianoforte. These instruments should 
not be allowed to be taken out of the room. There 
should be bells of different tones, made of fine metal — 
one or two of pure fiint glass. The room should be 
furnished with writing materials, pencils, quills, pens, 
drawing materials — in fact, everything requisite for 
the soul-culture and the development of the mind. 

The place of meeting thus prepared, we would advise 
those intending to meet in the room, to come together 
one morning once a month, listening to: 

First. Invocations or prayer. 

Second. Select readings, either in prose or poetry, 
on subjects eminently calculated to inspire us unto 
good. 

Third. Thirty minutes' conversation on spiritual 
subjects. 

Finale, in music or singing, or both. 

This meeting should be called the " Monthly Con- 
versation for Spiritual Worship," and it would be 
well to hold it on the first Sunday morning of each 
month. "We would advise the circle proper to adopt 
the following rules for their government, viz.: 

First. To choose one of their number to preside 
as head of the circle, whose duty it shall be to see 
that the business of the circle be properly conducted, 
and to hold his place six months, acting as secretary 
to the circle, keeping a correct record of every meet- 



264 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

ing, of those who were present, who not, as well as 
what transpired. 

Second. The circle to meet promptly at, say 9 
o'clock, a. m. ; that is, each member to be in his or her 
place in the circle at this time — the sitting to con- 
tinue one hour at least, and never to exceed one hour 
and a half. 

Third. The circle to form around an oblong table, 
in cane seated chairs, numbering from ten to thirteen, 
more or less in numbers as the circle may require. 
The table should be made out of clear lumber, free 
from sap or knot or shake, and should be also free 
from paint, varnish, or stain. The members should 
attend carefully to the cleanliness of their persons, 
studiously avoiding all cosmetics whatever, the use of 
tobacco, whisky, or intoxicating drinks, or food calcu- 
lated to excite the nervous system or the passions. 
They should enter this sanctuary of the angels quietly, 
in order, and as nearly at the same time as may be. 

Fourth. Taking their places orderly, as follows: 
The most positive in temperament to sit at the head 
of the table as number one; then number two, the 
next positive, and so on until all are seated. We would 
advise the members of the circle to sit a few minutes 
in profound and silent meditation, each asking the 
angel of truth to aid, direct, and counsel them in this 
their circle. After which place the hands on the 
table, letting them rest lightly and easily upon it, the 
little finger of the right hand of number one resting 
on the little finger of the left hand of number two, 
and so on until the circle is completed. 



CIRCLE FOR SPIRITUAL PHENOMENA. 265 

Fifth. Open with selected reading, singing and 
music, or invocation. Let this part of the service be 
brief, after which sit in patience, waiting for visitors 
from the Summer Land. 

Sixth. This phase and portion of time should 
not exceed thirty-five minutes in duration, and the 
circle should close up in the strictest order, by invok- 
ing the good angels through the law, to be with us. 
Close with singing and music. 

SYMPTOMS TO BE OBSERVED DURING THESE SITTINGS. 

First. Perspiration of the palms of the hands suf- 
ficient to wet the table under the hands. 

Second. Cold, clammy, or viscous cuticle, extend- 
ing well up the arm, and frequently affecting all the 
person. Second stage or symptoms may be noted as 
the warm, viscous condition of the system. The third 
stage, the dry, husky skin of a silky texture, seldom, 
if ever, moist. 

Third. Lifting of the palm of the hand, under 
the hand, or pressure upward. We opine that during 
this stage of the development the table is being 
charged with the nerve property or force of the 
human system, from the bodies of those who make 
up the circle. 

Fourth. We will next notice a tremulous motion 
or quivering of the fibre of the wood, or table, some- 
times so powerful as to be tangible to every member 
of the circle. This motion is continuous, beginning 
in the table and extending to the most negative mem- 
ber of the circle, sometimes accompanied with a 



266 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

somniferous tendency, and occasionally producing a 
sound and healthy sleep. During this stage of the 
development members of the circle thus affected will 
frequently be impressed with the ailments of those 
who are diseased, sometimes with the very thoughts 
of some one or more of the members of the circle; 
sometimes clear spirit intuition will develop. We 
should, however, be very careful how we accept com- 
munications thus given as from spirits, for very fre- 
quently these impressions are but the reflections of 
or from the mind of one or more of the members of 
the circle, hence are to be carefully dissected in order 
to determine whether they be of the spirit out of the 
form or of the spirit in the form. 

Fifth. The next development will be a violent 
spasmodic action — such as violent pounding on the 
table with the open hand or closed fist; stamping of 
the feet; shaking of the body; the head in spasmodic 
action; violent shaking of the whole body, with great 
effort to speak. Again the subject will grip the hand 
of the next member to them in a firm, vise-like grip, 
then suddenly spring to their feet, breaking away from 
the circle; frequently jumping about, sometimes danc- 
ing, sometimes uttering a wild, incoherent gibberish 
— an unknown tongue. During this spasmodic stage 
of development, and when the subject breaks away 
from the circle, the circle should close up and continue 
its sitting with singing. 

Sixth. We will find the air under the table or 
around the feet of the sitters, several degrees colder 
than in the region of the hands or heart and head. 



CIRCLE FOE SPIRITUAL PHENOMENA. 267 

Seventh. We conclude that the phenomena of Spir- 
itualism requires, first, the nerve-force of man — called 
by Ashburner "Animal Magnetism " ; by Richenbaugh, 
"odic or od-force," and which we believe to be the 
property in our own natures, out of which the spirit 
body or force has its birth, and should be called the 
physics of spirits, or spirit property. 

Eighth. The mediums form the magnetic battery; 
the spirits form the electric battery. This was the 
material out of which Jacob's vision of the ladder and 
angels was formed. 

Finally, any number of persons, from three to twenty, 
cannot sit one evening in a week for three months 
without producing phenomena unaccounted for by 
science, and only accounted for as yet as spirit or an 
intellectual force, not dependent on the members of 
any one of them for its expression. 

Every circle should guard against vain and idle 
questions. Never allow foolish things or words to 
occupy the time of the circle. We have foolish things 
enough of this life without carrying them into the 
sublimities of spirit life. 

"We believe circles may be formed for the following 
purposes, and with advantage to all concerned: 

First. The divinity of the soul and the worship 
of God, as well as the communion of angels. 

Second. The helps and governments of the family, 
of society and the State. ■ 

Third. For educational purposes, social, physical, 
and mental. 

Fourth. For business purposes of any and all 



268 THE TKUTHS OF SPIRTTXJAIISM. 

kinds. But we conjure all Spiritualists to never ask 
the angels of God to help them, so long as they can 
get along without doing so, and then only in extreme 
cases. 



CHAPTEK XXXVII. 

Home Life with Farmer Mary — We Give Tests in McHenry, 
Illinois — The Vision, and Its Fulfillment — The Witness. 

HOME LIFE. 

From eleven o'clock a. m., April 9, to Friday, five 
o'clock p. m., April 19, 1872, we enjoyed the sweet 
influence of home life, on the Emerson Farm, under 
the management of Farmer Mary. "We find that, in 
our absence, everything has prospered at home. 
During these days of farm life, we have enjoyed 
ourselves — Mary, the children, and the " Gentle Wil- 
son." We have feasted on fresh milk and bread, fresh 
eggs and fat chickens, drinking pure cold water fresh 
from nature's fountains. We watched the unfolding 
of seed-time, and saw bushels of wheat, barley, oats, and 
potatoes, go into the ground to die, and, in death, each 
kernel promised to resurrect itself in August, giving 
an hundredfold in increase. 



HOME LIFE. 269 

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened 
except it die; and that which thou sowest, thou sowest 
not that body that shall be. 1 Cor. xv: 36, 37. 

And I look forward to the harvest in knowledge for 
the return of the quickening of the soul of the grain, 
and its resurrection in spirit and life in a new body, 
and yet so like the old that it is at once fully identi- 
fied as the improved spirit of that grain we cast away 
in knowledge, knowing we would receive it back again 
in good harvest time. So the All Father hath sown 
broadcast, on the face of the earth, the seeds of life, 
to take root and come forth in manhood and woman- 
hood, on earth and in heaven, a quickening spirit. 

Our home! how we love it, and all there are in and 
about it; and, by and by, we will have a new house, 
with plenty of room for the weary pilgrim to rest in. 
We — Mary and the " Gentle Wilson — have lived to- 
gether twenty-nine years — September 23, 1876. How 
long to look ahead ; how short the time when we look 
back; and yet, a few brief years and we will stand 
side by side in the Summer Land — Farmer Mary 
and I. 

Oh, how we wish every laborer in the field had a 
home in the country, where they could rest, and love 
and be loved in return ; where they could sow, and 
plant, and reap the fruits of their own labor. 

Through April, May, and up to June 13, we have 
been at home four days in a week, and yet have aver- 
aged four lectures a week. Brothers and sisters, have 
we not been blessed ? And here let us assure you that 
we are not forgetful of the protecting care of the All 



270 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRIT UALISM. 

Father and his angel helpers, in guiding us aright 
thus far on the journey of life. u Let us have peace." 

Friday, five o'clock p. m., April 19, we are on the 
cars, bound for McHenry, Illinois — Mary, Dora, 
Bennie and I. We arrived at the good farm-house 
of Brother J. W. Smith, the farmer, and were weL 
corned by his companion and family in a manner that 
said, "We are glad to see you." During the evening, 
we held a circle for spirit communion, during which, 
many fine tests were given, especially one from their 
daughter Clara, and their old friend, Filkins. We 
had music, singing, and speaking in unknown 
tongues. 

On Saturday and Sunday we held meetings in the 
Universalist Church, and, notwithstanding it rained a 
good part of the time, we had a good attendance, and 
enjoyed ourselves, meeting many old and tried friends. 
But some we missed ; they had gone on, under pro- 
motion, to the Summer Land. 

We gave several tests, which were fully identified. 
One incident we will relate. When in McHenry, in 
1871, on the evening of July 23, we made the follow- 
ing statement: 

Turning to H. Owen, Esq., we said: "Sir, we see 
you in the future. You seem to be entering a very 
dark cloud; it suddenly envelopes your whole person, 
and you are lost to our view; you are in the cloud a 
long time, during which we see a deal of commotion 
in it; finally, the cloud lifts, and we see you prostrate, 
weak, and feeble, hardly able to care for yourself. We 
fear, sir, that, during the fall or winter, you are to 



HOME LIFE. 271 

pass through an ordeal that will come near carrying 
you out of this life." 

Mr. Owen replied : " I do not know what you can 
refer to. I am quite well, and everything prospers 
about me." 

Others commented, pro and con, in regard to the 
statement, the unbelievers sneering, the faithful feel- 
ing that we had drawn largely upon the future, and 
few, if any, ^believing that anything would come 
out of it. 

Eight months subsequently, we found Mr. Owen 
sitting in his chair, weak, feeble, and hardly able to 
help himself — just as we had seen him in our vision, 
in July, 1871 — and, from Mr. Owen's own lips, we 
received full confirmation of the fulfilling of our vis- 
ion, he being attacked last fall with congestive chills, 
that nearly carried him into eternity. 

We wish that Dr. Child would inquire of Prof. 
Hare about the law controlling this phenomenon, or 
prophecy. Will it not form a fine text for some future 
communication? 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

WONDERFUL PHENOMENA IN PORTAGE CO., OHIO. 

The following letter from a friend, and true Spirit- 
ualist, speaks for itself : 

Ravenna, Ohio, November 8, 1873. 

Mr. Wilson — Dear Sir: Some manifestations of 
interest having occurred in Deerfield, in this county, 
I will give you the most important incidents in the 
order of their development: 

In the township of Deerfield, Portage county, Ohio, 
one-fourth of a mile from the center, stands a house, 
with some good acres of ground attached, that, within 
the last thirty years, has been bought and sold many 
times. No sooner would a buyer get settled, than he 
would be seized with a desire to sell. 

About four years ago, it was bought by a Mr. Carl- 
ton. His family consisted of a wife, two daughters 
nearly grown, and a son, now eight years old. The 
Carlton family were annoyed by strange, unaccounta- 
ble noises, that soon gave it the notoriety of being 
haunted. These sounds were often heard in one 
chamber, as if doors, were opening and being shut 
hard; also, loud raps, sometimes singing, and voices 
in conversation, and often groans and shrieks. Twice 
they saw the form of a woman walking in the garden. 

Last winter, Mr. Carlton became so exasperated at 
(272) 



WONDERFUL PHENOMENA. 273 

the annoyance, he thought to drive them away, by 
force, if possible. When the sounds were heard, he 
commanded them, as with authority, to quit and leave 
the family alone. They took no heed to orders. At 
this, Mr. Carlton went into a passion, enforcing his 
commands with oaths and curses. The sounds were 
as defiant as ever. Then he threw stove wood at the 
point whence the sound proceeded, and yet they tan- 
tantalized him. Soon after, he was taken ill, and died 
in a few hours. 

This occurred in February last (1873). The family 
still live there, and these haunting sounds continued 
till late in summer, when Mrs. Carlton went to Paris y 
an adjoining town, to visit some friends. They 
advised her to get a medium living in Charlestown, 
adjoining Paris, to go to her house and learn what 
the spirit wanted. 

The Spiritualists of Chariestown were holding circles 
twice a week. A Mr. Loomis, who was well known 
and respected there when living, controls the medium,, 
and by him seven of the members of the circle were 
selected to go to the house, and they would liberate a 
spirit who, in a fit of insanity, had taken her own life, 
and had never been able to leave the locality where 
the deed was done. A spirit, who gives his name as 
John Forsyth, says he practiced medicine in Pitts- 
burgh, and passed to spirit-life twelve years ago, is 
associated with Mr. Loomis in his labors. 

The first week in August they went to the house. 
Dr. Forsyth assisted the spirit to get en rapport with 
the medium. She was very wild and shy, and afraid 
18 



274 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

they were enemies. She had been attended by the 
spirit of John Diver, who was one of the first settlers 
of Deerfield, and was, in those early times, known 
throughout the country, but had neither the knowl- 
edge nor power to raise her out of that condition. 

Since her insanity has been removed, this is the 
story she tells of herself : 

" My name is Mary Coolie. I was born in Ger- 
many. I came to America with two brothers, who 
settled near Meadville, Pennsylvania, bringing their 
wealth with them. One brother, Cornelius Coolie, 
still lives there; the other died. I was seduced by a 
doctor (whose name had better not be given), under 
promise of marriage. He persuaded me to leave my 
home and go with him. He brought me to Deerfield, 
and rented this house, and, soon after, I gave birth to 
a still-born babe, which the doctor buried in the gar- 
den. He refused to fulfill his promise of marriage, 
and, in my grief, despair, and loneliness, I was bereft 
of my reason and became a raving maniac, and, in my 
frenzy, cut my throat. The doctor put my body into 
a rough box and buried it in the garden also, and left 
for parts unknown." 

A few old residents remembered his coming and 
going, but no one there ever knew that Mary Coolie 
lived or died. The valuable papers that she had hid 
in the house, and her child, were the ties that bound 
her to that locality, and she had no knowledge nor 
power to detach herself. 

In speaking of her child, she said, " her treasure was 
buried on the south side of the garden." Some, who 



WONDERFUL PHENOMENA. 275 

heard the word treasure, thought it to be money, went 
to digging, with great zeal, at the point indicated, and, 
when they were assured that the mother called her 
her babe her treasure, they left. . 

The night following, three or four, who still thought 
money was buried there, returned, and, with post- 
augers, thought to unearth it and enrich themselves. 
While digging, they were startled by a strangg sound, 
that made them pause and listen ; then they went to 
work again with a will, when such horrible shrieks, 
groans, and wailings were heard that they leaped the 
fence and fled in the wildest terror, and dared not 
return. Subsequently, the earth was removed, but 
they found only what seemed to be human hair; 
thirty-two years had destroyed all other vestiges of 
*■' the treasure." 

Mrs. S. F is the medium through whom this 

spirit is daily gaining strength and knowledge. Her 
fear and timidity have nearly left her, and she realizes 
more and more that all are friends, and it helps her 
to advance out of that hell in which she has suffered 
for thirty-two years. 

At one time, when Mary was communicating, she 
was asked if the spirits killed Mr. Carlton. She said 
he was present, and could answer for himself. After 
getting hold of the medium, he (Carlton) asked to 
have the question repeated. He then said: "They 
removed me by their will-power, because I was an 
obstacle to the accomplishment of the results desired, 
and I am as much benefited by those results as Mary 
Coolie, and am glad to share in the blessing of being 



276 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

taught with her, and do not regret my removal. It 
is a blessing for which I shall ever be thankful." 



Dear reader, we give above the contents of a letter 
from a friend, in whom we have the utmost confi- 
dence, and we know that she writes no uncertain 
report. There are points in this communication wor- 
thy of careful attention. 

First — This kind of haunted-house phenomena is 
becoming mere and more common throughout the 
country. The fact can no longer be ignored. The 
" Eewburyport School House," the " Dunn County 
(Wis.) House," the " Yirgil House," and many others, 
are proofs positive that these things are. The testi- 
mony is before us. The judgment rendered is, that 
this phenomena is the result of spirit, or ultramun- 
dane, life. What we now wish to understand, is the 
law through which this phenomena takes place. Is it 
the work of the Diakka? 

Second — The lesson taught: There is no forgive- 
ness in this life, or the after-life; every penalty must 
be paid; there is no escape. 

Third — Life in the Spirit World is identical with 
life in this mundane world; fear, sorrow, joy, hate, 
spleen, and all kindred elements of passion, are parts 
of this great Spirit World; that we are unfolding for 
humanity, and, above all, that the Star of Progression 
hovers over that world as well as this. 

Fourth — Not only are our media helpers to us in 
the present life, but they are benefactors to those un- 
fortunate souls who are in prison in the Spirit World; 



WONDERFUL* PHENOMENA. 277 

and, through the law of interblending of our natures, 
both spheres are benefited by spirit and mortal con- 
ditions. 

Fifth — Certain parties, or persons, who, dying in 
the act of crime, or the cause of crime, or in plotting 
for crime, do leave a force or influence in a house, or 
on a spot of ground, or on any article that may be in 
contact with them at the time of the act, that will 
repeat in testimony the act in evil they commit 
whenever a corresponding force, or law, in another 
comes in contact with what they have left behind 
them; hence, the phenomena of the haunted house, 
pond, or field. 

Sixth — Sometimes these criminals, in the very 
act, are bound in chains, and remain bound until re- 
lieved by the law of development, progression, or the 
charity of some ministering element. . 

Seventh — Can spirits remove obnoxious men and 
women from their path? and, if so, are we not, 
sojourners here, on very ticklish ground indeed? 
and that our continuance in this life depends on our 
good behavior here as well as hereafter? 

Finally, is this not an age of wonder and wisdom? 
"Let us prove all things, and hold fast to that which 
is good." Let us do right, and exercise charity, and 
all will be well. 



CHAPTEK XXXIX. 

"The Mystery of Death — Where is our Little Pet?" — "lam 
up here, Mamma; Little Pet is Cared For." 

"THE MYSTERY OF DEATH— WHERE 18 OUR LIT- 
TLE PETt" 

"Where are you, our little Pet? Do you lie all 
unconscious where we weeping let you down a few 
days ago? Or have you gone to the spirit world? 
And what is a spirit world? How can you live, feel, 
see, know, without that little casket, the body? And 
if your spirit has flown, whither has it flown? How 
far away have you gone, little Pet? Do you know 
anything that is going on here below? And if so, 
how much are you permitted to know, and how do 
you know it? Do yon see yourself, or do the angels 
tell you? Do you know how much we grieve for you, 
how many sad tears we shed, how we try to sing some 
of those home songs, in which your little voice used 
to mingle, and how we suddenly cease and all weep 
aloud? Do you see us when we go to visit your little 
grave, and do you hear us as we talk of planting the 
flowers, and placing the green sod, and erecting the 
little marble block there? 

"Are you happy, little Pet? You used to say that 
you ' would like to go to heaven, but that you would 
jump down again and come back.' Do you feel like 
jumping down now? You used to say you 'wanted 

(278) 



THE MYSTERY OF DEATH. 279 

to go to heaven, but you did not want wings.' Have 
you got wings now, little Pet? But oh, how we miss 
you, little Pet! You were the light and joy of our 
household, and we all feel very lonely without you ! 
Yet if you are only cared for tenderly and are happy, 
we can wait. But we should like to more than believe. 
We should like to know. If we could only hear from 
you one clear, distinct Yes/ to these various queries 
so often made, so there could be no mistake about it, 
it would be very consoling. But we know you can- 
not answer. The curtain between this and the future 
world is down, never to be lifted until each one makes 
his exit. 

" ' The gates are not ajar,' and if we are faithful 
here it will be well with us there, and we shall go and 
meet the good and the innocent — the dear ones gone 
before. Adieu then, little Pet! Ah! yes, we have 
said it many times before, but it comes back again 
upon us, and so we alternate 

" ' Between the calming and the weeping.' 

" Farewell, little Pet, for this side of heaven. And 
how many like us have been afflicted! How many 
little coffins have been made! How many little graves 
have been dug, and how many sweet, pleasant homes 
have been darkened ! But they have gone in sweet, 
beautiful and heavenly innocency. It must be well 
with them. Is it well with us? ' They will not return 
to us; shall we go to them?' " 

We find the above reflections and questionings in 
the columns of the "Atchison (Kansas) Champion." 



280 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

They are from the heart of a sorrowing parent, whose 
soul is hungry for heavenly knowledge of the dead. 
Christian faith fails to answer these "questionings," 
and only diners from Atheism in the declared myste- 
ries of a God through faith in his blood. Atheism 
says to this sorrowing soul, " Your little Pet is dead 
— silent — forever in the grave, with no more pain, 
grief, sorrow or joy. You can see the place where its 
little casket is laid in the dust. His little voice is 
silent forever." 

This conclusion the parent's soul rejects. The mys- 
tery of faith is equally unsatisfactory, as evidenced by 
the " questionings." Spiritualism answers every ques- 
tion, solves the hidden mystery, and declares there is 
no death. "We have stood just where these questions 
now stand. We inquired after four little pets and 
their mother. We inquired of the minister of God — 
"Say, man of God, where are our pets?" 

He honestly and gravely answered, " There;" point- 
ing with the finger to their graves. 

"But what of them in the judgment?" 

" The mother, having been baptized, will be accepted 
of God; the little pets, having never been baptized, 
will be damned." 

" But, holy man of God, Jesus said, * Suffer little 
children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of 
such is the kingdom of heaven.' " 

"True, sir; but these pets are not of the kingdom, 
for they were not committed to the Father's care 
through the holy oflSces of Mother Church." 

"Well, then, holy man of God, Atheism is more 



THE MYSTERY OF DEATH. 281 

merciful than you, and we trust that oblivion may- 
wrap its dark mantle of forgetfulness around them 
all, and that the wife and mother, with our pets, may 
be silent forever, knowing not anything." 

Later in life an angel came to us — the wife and 
mother — and carried us up to the pearly gates that 
stood " ajar," and pointing through them, said : " Be- 
hold our little pets, sporting in the sunshine on the 
beautiful play-grounds in the Summer Land." 

And on reading a parent's " questionings," we 
thought we heard the little Pet answer, " I am up 
here, mamma, where flowers blossom all the year, 
and birds of paradise sing me to sleep. I am not, 
'all unconscious' in the grave where you weeping 
let me down a few days ago.' Only the tiny casket 
lies there. Mamma and papa, I am not there. Dear 
papa and mamma, I am up in the spirit land, with 
the angels — and cousin Nellie, and grandma, too, are 
here with me, and other little pets also. The spirit 
world is a beautiful place, full of flowers and shady 
trees, green fields and singing birds. On many a tree 
the bough bends freighted with luscious fruit. Mur- 
muring streams course their way through valleys fair, 
by mountain side now tumbling down a rocky steep, 
making merry for your pet. We live on fruit plucked 
from trees, or berries from bushes bending beneath 
their weight. "With fingers fair and white we feel, 
and with eyes bright and blue, we see as when on 
earth they gazed on you — all united in one little 
casket, far more beautiful than the body I left below. 
My spirit has flown, but not so far away — just up 



THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 



here beneath the stars; and all the time when not 
studying, singing or playing, we are thinking of and 
visiting you, my ma. We know what you are doing 
there below. We are with your guardian spirits; 
sometimes in your room ; again, they leave us in our 
happy homes while away on a mission of love to our 
old home. On returning, they tell us of all that is 
going on below; and we are permitted to know all 
that you do — weeping and laughing with you in your 
joy and sorrow. Sometimes we see for ourselves; 
sometimes the angels tell us what we do not know; 
and what we know is given us through our senses, 
just as with you. And oh ! my mamma and papa, we 
know your grief, your joy, and those sad tears you 
shed, we have caught again and again; and when you 
come up here, you will find them crystalized gems in 
our home — old mementos from the shores of time. 
And when you sing, our souls are filled with glee as 
in chorus we rejoice. Sometimes we go with you to 
visit the little grave, and hear you talk of planting 
flowers above where the casket is laid; but, mamma, 
we had rather meet you in the parlor where we played. 
Bring out the little shoe and cap, the whip and top, 
and other toys. Do not weep, mamma, but let us 
play with the shoe and cap, with the whip and top, 
as in former days. I am not in the grave, mamma. 
I am happy and full of joy, and only weep when you 
are sad. Do not weep at the grave, for your tears 
make me sad. Always when with you in the form, 
you wiped my tears away. Come, mamma, wipe my 
tears away once again, by smiling on your little Pet 



. THE MYSTERY OF DEA.TH. 283 

through your own. I would not have you cease your 
weeping, for tears are jewels worn in our crowns. I 
like heaven, mamma. God and all the angels are 
good; they strive to teach me the better way; and 
often I come from the Summer Land in joy, to the old 
earth home — not on the wings of a bird, but on the 
wings of love. And if you will sit in the mellow 
even tide, I will whisper loving words to your soul, 
so you will not miss your little Pet, and I will again 
be the light and joy of the old household home. 
Mamma, little Pet is cared for by loving angels; his 
every want is supplied. He knows no sorrow, save 
your own. Mamma and papa, will you leave the door 
' ajar' and bid me come? You shall more than believe. 
You shall know that I am not dead, but live, and shall 
live forevermore. And, mamma, I can answer and I 
will tell you when : Do you remember one night the 
clock had just chimed nine; you opened the drawer 
and took up the little blue shoe, and bowed your head 
and wept, mamma; — and then again, you spun the 
top, and when it whirled all so swift, you cried aloud, 
' Do you see the top, little Pet?' And, mamma, when 
you stood by the little grave where my casket is laid, 
there bowing low on bended knee, you prayed for little 
Pet. I was with you, mamma, and kissed your cheek, 
and dried your tears. We can answer to your call in 
a thousand ways. The curtain is lifted and the 'gates 
are ajar,' and all can come in; all can go out; all meet 
on the mutual land of our spirit home. We are not 
gone, but near you in innocence and joy. All is well 



284 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

with us ; let it be well with you. We will return to 
you; you shall come to us." 

Little Pet has solved the mystery of death, and lives 
forevermore. Don't take it to heart — remember the 
words of the Master: 

" I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I 
am alive forevermore. Amen." Rev. i; 18. 



CHAPTEE XL. 

Church and State — A Good Example of the Power and Influ- 
ence of Christianity — Sarah Ann Whitely — She then Called 
Mary, Husband, My Sons and Daughters. 

CHTJMCH AND STATE. 

Shall we have God in the Constitution of the United 
States? and, if so, whose God? The ultramontane 
section of the Catholic Church are taking high ground, 
both in Europe and America. We copy the following 
from the pastoral recently issued by Bishop Gilmour, 
of the diocese of -Cleveland, Ohio, in which occurs 
sentiments, or rather commands, that lay the ax at the 
root of freedom. Read it: 

"There must be less petty jealousies among us; na- 
tionalities must be made subordinate to religion, and 



CHURCH AND STATE. 285 

we must learn that we are Catholics first, and citizens 
next. Catholicity does not bring us in conflict with 
the State, yet it teaches that God is above man, and 
the Church above the State. To the Church, as the 
representative of God, we owe a spiritual allegiance, 
yet in all that does not conflict with the law of God, 
we owe an unqualified obedience to the State." 

We shall not quarrel with the Bishop, or any other 
man, about his religious views. We shall defend ours, 
and when Rome, through her prelate, lays down a rule 
of action, that declares the Church superior to the 
State, and that, too, when the head of that church is 
a foreign prelate, we think it is time that the people 
awoke to a sense of the danger that threatens us. 

"We do not propose to go into an elaborate argument 
on this subject at this time. What we wish to do is 
call the attention of our readers to this monstrous 
document. Bishop Gilmour is a bold, out-spoken 
man, and may be considered a fair specimen of the 
leading minds of the Church of Rome, in the United 
States, and it will not be their fault if religious lib- 
erty has not an end on American soil. 

The spirit of the Bishop's pastoral is this ; " There 
is a higher law, that makes the President of these 
United States, Congress, and our State Governments, 
subject to the Roman Church, and that Church is 
subject to the Pope." 

We can afford to laugh at that fanatic, who sup- 
poses he is doing God's will, so long as he is single- 
handed ; but when that fanaticism becomes a leading 
feature in a church numbering millions, then there is 



286 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

danger. Directly in connection with the spirit of 
this pastoral, we have another danger, coupled with 
which there are some of the best minds in our land. 
"We refer to the Christian Convention for the purpose 
of accomplishing the sixteenth amendment to our 
constitutional form of government, recognizing God 
and his Christ. The spirit of this Protestant Chris- 
tian Convention is the same as that manifested in 
Bishop Gilmour's pastoral. The design of both par- 
ties is patent, and is this: Whoever rejects the author- 
ity of our God and his Christ, let him be damned ! 

We will suppose that this sixteenth amendment is 
accomplished, and God becomes a fact, in our Gov- 
ernment, there must then be legislation necessary to 
carry out the object, to define his wants — a bureau 
and secretary of the Department of God. . 

The next point to determine will be, Whose God? 
This can only be determined at the ballot box, and 
that sectarian element having a majority of votes de- 
termines whose God shall rule. 

Bishop Gilmour has spoken, in his pastoral, and 
there is no misunderstanding him. " We must learn 
that we are Catholics first, and citizens next; and the 
Church above the State; to the Church, as the repre- 
sentative of God, we owe a spiritual allegiance, yet in 
all that does not conflict with the laws of God, we 
owe an unqualified obedience to the State." 

Reader, has not Home declared, again and again, 
that the Protestant Churches conflict with the Church 
of the living God? Does not Bishop Glamour say 



A GOOD EXAMPLE. 287 

the Pope first, then the Church, and the State last? 
The priesthood first, then the people. 

Spiritualism declares that Church and State are two, 
and subjective to the will of the people. 



A GOOD EXAMPLE OF TEE POWER AND INFLU- 
ENCE OF THE TEACHINGS OF CHRISTIANITY. 

We heard this statement from a friend of ours at 
Dallas City, Illinois, who is, also, a friend of the party 
from whom the story came — Hon. R G. Ingersoll, 
author of " The Gods." 

Says Ingersoll: " Not long ago, I was retained to 
defend a murderer. On calling on him, in his cell, I 
demanded a full and complete account of the whole 
affair, for on a statement of facts would rest my de- 
fense; and then there occurred the following questions 
and answers; 

Ingersoll. Did you kill the man? 

Prisoner. Yes, I killed him. 

/. What did you kill him for? 

P. For his money. 

/. You say you killed this man for his money. 
Had you no enmity toward him, or other cause? " 

P. None, whatever. 

/. How much money did you get? 

P. Seven cents. 

/. Is that all you got? Had he no other property 
or valuables ? 

P. Now, sir, I am mistaken; he had some bread 
and meat with him. 



288 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

_/. What did you do with the money ? 

P. I bought whisky with it. 

/. And what did you do with the bread and meat? 

P. I eat the bread; it being Friday, I threw the 
meat away. 

Header, who can read the above and not recognize 
the fact, that, had this man been educated to respect 
human life and private property, as he had the dogma 
of the Church, he would never have murdered him. 
He could fearlessly kill his brother man for his money, 
knowing that the crime could be washed out by the 
blood of Jesus; but to eat meat on Friday was an un- 
pardonable sin, not to be reached by the atoning blood 
of Jesus Christ. 

Does not this case teach us that the principles em- 
bodied in the atonement offer an inducement to men 
to do wrong? 

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, 
and mother, and wife, and children, and brethen, and 
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my 
disciple. Lukexiv: 26. 



APOTHEOSIS. 

While at Bonaparte, Iowa, we were moved to speak 
of our immortal sister, Sarah Ann G-. Whitley, who 
went to live in the Summer Land on the 20th of Feb- 
ruary, 1872, fully matured in truth and years. She 
was sick only five days. She was fully warned of her 
change. On the mornings of the 18th, 19th, and 20th, 
she was informed of her change, and told to be ready. 



APOTHEOSIS. 289 

On Monday morning, the 19th, she called her hus- 
band to her side, saying: 

" James, I have got my second token, calling me, 
and, before to-morrow's sun sinks behind the western 
sky, I shall leave you and the dear children for my 
home in the Spirit World." 

Then, giving full instructions regarding household 
matters, the children, and her things, she charged her 
husband with the care of the little ones she was about 
to leave. She then said: 

" Husband, please bury my body in a plain coffin, 
quietly laying it away in the ground. Let there be 
no great ado, or marked formalities, at my funeral. 
I wish to retire from this world as quietly as I have 
lived in it. You will continue our family circle twice 
a week, and I will be with you, guiding, cheering, and 
assisting our little ones in the sacred duties of life." 

She then called Mary, our eldest daughter, to her, 
and told her to " take the two rings from her fingers ; 
keep one, and give the other to her sister." 

Then, turning to us all, she said: "Husband, my 
sons and daughters, I do not regret one action of my 
life, or anything I have done. There is nothing in my 
life to repent of. The only pang or regret with me 
is in leaving you, my children, and my husband. I 
would like to remain with you in the form, until you 
had reached man and woman's estate, but it is not to 
be, and I must go home. I do not fear death. I shall 
not die, but go to a better home, and there await your 
coming. I trust the transition may be easy and with- 
out pain." 

19 



290 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

The hour of her departure came on the 20 th of 
February. The husband and children were around 
her. She breathed easily life's final moments away, 
leaving this normal world without a struggle, and be- 
came an angel mother, remembering, loving, and 
watching over the dear ones she has left for a season. 
She was a true wife, a good mother, and as true to 
Spiritualism as the needle to the pole. She will be 
missed by many friends from the earth circle of sisters, 
but we know that she is not dead. 

The Whitley family continues their home circle, 
and their mother is with them. Some one of the 
children see and hear her in their family circles, and 
her words of advice are still heard in the household. 
We knew Sister Whitley in the earth-life, and know 
that she was true, good, and faithful, and, as an angel, 
she cannot be less true and good. 

May her pure spirit continue to meet her family in 
the home circle, greeting them with the sacred words 
of John, the Evangelist: 

I am he that liveth, and was dead ; and, behold, I 
am alive forevermore. Amen! Rev. i: 18. 

" Holy ministers of light ! 
Hidden from our mortal sight, 
But whose presence can impart 
Peace and comfort to the heart ; 
When we weep, or when we pray, 
When we falter in the way, 
Or our hearts grow faint with fear, 
Let us feel your presence near." 

— Poems of Progress. 



CHAPTEE XLI. 

We Close the Year 1871 in Chicago — New Year's Dinner at 
Home — We Speak in Wheaton — On the Wing — Arrive in 
Philadelphia — Give many Tests. 

CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 

Well, dear readers, we closed our work for 1871 on 
Sunday afternoon, December 31, in Chicago; speaking 
in that city for the first time in three years, and we 
were greeted and made welcome by a large and enthu- 
siastic audience morning and evening; in fact, the 
largest audience of the season. Acting upon the prin- 
ciple that Spiritualists are ever willing to pay for what 
pleases them, and what they want, we hold that we 
gave general satisfaction, and our lectures were wanted 
in Chicago. 

If the society of Spiritualists of Chicago will unite, 
acting in harmony and accord, they are sure to suc- 
ceed. But all party spirit must be cast aside, the 
Christ of our hope and knowledge must be elevated, 
the personal pronoun dropped, and we take its place. 
Brothers and sisters, you are a power in Chicago, and 
if you will do wisely, may make yourself felt. We 
pray you to be faithful to Spiritualism, and true to 
the sacred trusts imparted to you. Organize on a 
sure financial basis, build you a hall, and take your 
place in the new Chicago of the future. 

Our partner and mate, Farmer Mary, wrote us in 
(291) 



292 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

November last that our New Year's dinner would be 
ready at 2J o'clock, p. m., January 1st, 1872, sharp 
time, and feeling that it would be good for us to 
accept the call, we were on hand at the appointed 
time. Eighteen of us were joined together in the 
Sacred family circle around the social old black wal- 
nut table, and all will bear testimony that we did 
justice to the well-roasted turkeys and viands, the 
products of Mary's farm. 

After dinner, and in social conversation passed 
the hours until night time came; then we formed 
the sacred family circle and for two hours we held 
holy communion with the dear ones who had gone 
on before. This was truly a feast of love — music 
from on high with invocation and praise mingled 
sweetly together. We of earth-life greeted those 
of the Summer Land who had deigned to meet us 
in our humble home. Fathers, mothers, brothers, 
sisters, husbands, wives, sons and daughters, with 
many an old friend, from their homes divine mingled 
with us, giving words of cheer and consolation. Truly 
it was good for us thus to meet and mingle on the 
shores of time. It was a joyous evening to us all, 
and we doubt if there existed in all this great Ttepub- 
lic a happier New Year's party than ours. We had 
song and music, poetry and prose, prayer and praise, 
speaking and drawing, and words of advice and com- 
fort during the session. And all retired from the 
New Year's circle, feeling that it was a blessed priv- 
ilege to meet with those who, in the language of the 
angel, spoke with John on the isle called Patmos, 



CLOSE OF THE YEAB. 293 

saying: "lam lie that liveth, and was dead; and, 
behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen." Rev. i: 18. 

January 3d. We spoke in Wheaton, our county seat, 
to fifty very intelligent men and women — which was 
a good audience, considering the dark and stormy 
night that it was. These home lectures are donations 
of ours to the cause. 

Thursday, January 4th. We bade adieu to our little 
ones, and started for Philadelphia, the city of Broth- 
erly Love. 

We reached Philadelphia Saturday morning, Jan- 
uary 6th, at 7.25, and at 8 o'clock we were comforta- 
bly seated at the breakfast table of our friend, Dr. H. 
T. Child, 634 Race street. It does one's soul good to 
sit down in the midst of this truly happy Quaker spir- 
itual family. For the family circle, in its happy com- 
bination, is the highest type of heaven on earth. 

God bless, and good angels guard and keep all truly 
happy families together. Amen. 

Sunday, January 7th. At 10.30 a. m., we took our 
place as a teacher before a Philadelphia audience. Our 
discourse was a review of the testimony of modern 
theology as on record in the suit now on trial before 
the people of the world, known as "Ancient and Mod- 
ern Theology vs. Modern Spiritualism," which seem- 
ingly gave good satisfaction. 

At 3 o'clock, p. m., full four hundred people came 
together to attend Dr. Child's spiritual circle in Insti- 
tute Hall, cornea of Broad street and Spring Garden. 



294 THE TEUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

This was truly a feast of good things, well gotten up, 
and ably managed. Many fine tests were given. 

At 7J p. m. we continued our review of the evidence 
of the prosecution, showing up their weak points, etc. ? 
before an audience of five hundred or more men and 
women — the best audience of the season, save one. 

The following tests were given by the mediums 
present: 

First. By P. Blaker, who, in trance, came to Dr. 
Child and whispered: 

"Aunt Rebecca is here, and says Cousin Charles is 
very sick, and will not live long." 

Dr. C. replied, " I know Aunt Rebecca well. She 
is a spirit. I know who Cousin Charles is, very well, 
but do not know that he is sick or likely to die." 

Three or four hours after this we were riding in a 
street car, and the doctor's brother came into the car. 

"Where has thee been?" asked Dr. C. 

" I have been out to Cousin Charles'." 

" How is he?" asked the doctor. 

"Very bad, indeed! He is very low, and not ex- 
pected to live." 

Second. Mrs. A. Anthony, medium, saw with us 
an elderly Quaker woman (spirit), fully describing her, 
and giving the name of Eliza. This spirit has been 
seen and described as with us by several mediums, in 
different places, and always the same dress and name. 
We, however, never knew her in the earth life. 

Third. By Mrs. A. D. Hass, a medium who spoke 
to us words of cheer, giving one or two minor tests. 

Fourth. A medium — woman — Whose name we 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 295 

did not know, under a very humorous influence, acted 
and said some very funny things, causing considerable 
mirth. This spirit claimed to be Benjamin Frank- 
liu (?). 

Fifth. E. Y. W., medium, after several calls, step- 
ped forward and gave the following tests: 

First. " I see by this man, (pointing out an old 
white-haired man) two spirits, one a young man, who 
died when a very little child — now about thirty years 
of age. There is with him a woman," fully describing 
her. " We should judge her about thirty or thirty- 
five years old when she died. Her name is Isabella, 
and his name is James. He says this old man is his 
father, and this spirit is his mother. ISTow, friends, 
we doubt the statement of James in regard to this 
woman of spirit life being his mother. What does 
our old friend of the earth life say about this matter?" 

The old man replied: "I lost a wife who answers 
the description given by you, many years ago. She 
was about forty years of age, and her name was Isa- 
bella. She and I lost a little baby boy named James, 
who would now be about thirty years of age, if he 
were living in earth life." 

Second. We saw an old Quaker spirit standing on 
the platform, fully describing him, who gave us the 
name of Isaac Stokes. He said he was born in Salem, 
New Jersey, and moved to this city in 177S, and died 
in 1818, at the age of eighty- two years. 

This spirit was identified by an old man from Salem, 
ST. J. 

Third. We saw by a woman, whose name we did 



THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

not learn, a beautiful vision. First, four little stars, 
all of which culminated in one bright light. Out of 
this light there stepped a fine spirit boy, about four 
years old when he left this earth life. We described 
this scene to the woman, who stated that she had lost 
four children, and this little boy was one of them — 
aged nearly four when he left her. 

There was a pathos and accent in this marked reply 
that moved many to tears* 

Fourth. To a gentleman, we believe Mr. Shumway. 
We saw a sister standing by him, who agreed, in facts, 
with one he had lost. 

Fifth. By a stranger we saw a soldier in full uni- 
form, who said: 

"My name is Charlie; I worked for you in 1861; 
enlisted in the spring of 1862, and was killed at the 
battle of Gettysburg in 1863." 

This test was fully identified by the man and his wife. 

Sixth. Isabella and James, mentioned in the third 
test, came the second time, bringing seven other spirits 
with them; the second wife, five children, (sons and 
daughters) and the aunt who loved the old man when 
a boy of eight and ten as well as the mother loved 
him — each in turn identifying themselves to the old 
man, who, when the test was finished, arose in much 
excitement, saying: 

"They are all mine. I have lost six children — 
sons and daughters — and two wives, and I was a 
great favorite with this aunt." 

Later we heard the man say, " I am well paid for 
this day's attendance here." 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 297 

It was spoken from the soul, and tears of heaven's 
own joy glistened in his eyes. 

Seventh. To a young woman we said: "There 
stands by you a spirit woman; your sister, two years 
older than yourself, being some time in spirit life." 

She replied: "You are right; I have lost just such 
a sister." 

Eighth. An old woman came from spirit life, and 
stood by us, giving the name of Thankful Haines. 
She was at once recognized. 

Ninth. To Mrs. D. Hass came her grandfather, 
giving words of cheer — fully recognized. 

These tests were given during the day and evening, 
and were fully identified. One other came: 

Tenth. Mary Rhodes, who stated that she had 
relatives in the hall, and that her father was present. 
We gave her name. Her father arose and stated that 
this daughter died one year ago the 17th of May, and 
that " Mr. W. has not been here since." 

Thus the testimony increases. On every hand we 
hear of their coming, these angel helpers of ours, 
with words of comfort and cheer. 



CHAPTER XLII. 

The Seance— The Blow— Lieut. Charley H.— The Denial — 
The Approval — The Railroad Accident — The Wife and Six 
Children — The Parents' Desire Disappointed — The Child 
Came — Satisfaction — A Day in New York. 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

Monday, January 8, 18T2. We gave a seance this 
evening, and there were full three hundred present. 
Thirty-nine tests were given — thirty-four fully iden- 
tified — among which, the following may interest our 
readers : 

First. To a man. "I see behind you a spare, 
dark-complexioned man; he holds in his hand a club; 
he approaches, and deals you a sturdy blow ; you fall 
before it, and when you get up the would-be assassin 
has fled. You know the man ; he entered the army, 
and lost his life in 1862. This assault was in 1859. 
The blow was given on the right side of the head, and 
from behind, and he intended to kill you." 

"What time of the year was this?" inquired the 
stranger. 

" In June, 1859," we replied. 

" Correct, in every particular," said the stranger. 

Second. Walking to the rear of the room, we 
pointed out a man, to whom we said: 

ft There stands by this man a spirit, who says that 
his name is Charley; that he was acquainted with him 
in 1859-60; worked with him, in the shop and other- 

(298) 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 299 

wise; he entered the army in 1861, late in the year, 
and was killed in 1863 — shot through the chest, the 
ball entering the right breast a little forward of, and 
under, the right arm. This spirit, when in the form, 
entered the army as second lieutenant, and was acting 
captain when killed." 

We then fully described the man, repeating his 
name. " Yes, or no?'' we asked. 

" I really would like to approve of what you say, 
but, for my life, I cannot identify a word of what you 
have told me as true," replied the man. 

" We do not desire you to identify, unless true," we 
answered. 

" Well it certainly is not correct in my case," was 
the reply. 

After the meeting was over, there gathered around 
us many of the audience, and, among them, the man 
to whom we had given the test that had not been 
identified. 

" I really desire to identify the communication you 
gave me, but cannot," said he. 

Instantly, the spirit was with us, saying: 

"I am C. H , who worked with you in I860, 

and enlisted, in October, in a New Jersey regiment. 
Is it possible you have forgotten me, and the impres- 
sion made upon you when you heard of my death % " 

With a sudden start, he exclaimed, excitedly : 

"I knew him well. Poor Charley! He entered 
the service as second lieutenant, was promoted to a 
captaincy, and killed in 1863 — shot through the 
body, as you have stated." 



300 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Third. To a lady. " There stands by you a young 
man, a friend and old acquaintance. He was killed 
by accident, on the railroad, several years ago. He 
says he is your old friend, and was killed near your 
house." 

We then gave a full description of the man, his age, 
and first name. 

The lady answered: " I knew the man well; he has 
been correctly described; he was an old friend of ours, 
and was killed near my house; he passed our house a 
few moments before he was killed. As he passed our 
house, he waved his handkerchief to us. In a few 
moments more, in passing from one car to the other, 
he fell through between the cars, and was cut all to 
pieces. The statement is strictly true." 

Fourth. To an old man. " We see by this man 
that which we doubt. There stands by him a woman 
and six children — four boys and two girls — and the 
woman says, ' I am this man's former wife, and these 
are his children.' " 

We then gave a minute description of the woman, 
and the children with her, and when they died. The 
old man arose, and, with much feeling, said: 

44 This woman and these children are mine. My 
wife and our children came to me to-night! Oh, I am 
paid — well paid for coming here. It is true; every 
word of it is true." 

Fifth. There came to our meeting a lady and gen- 
tleman, who had not been to a Spiritual meeting since 
the division took place, some two or three years ago, 
in the Philadelphia Society of Spiritualists, before 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 301 

coming to our meeting on Sunday. We heard that 
the spirits had told him he should hear from his child, 
and all day he patiently waited for the test. They 
had taken seats, on Sunday evening, near the desk. 
The meeting was over, and the test had not been 
given. 

Said Mr. B. to his wife: "Thus it ever is — again a 
failure. There is no reliance whatever on these spirit 
communications. I am disappointed. Come, let us 
go home." 

We were standing some feet from the parties 
referred to, and heard not a word of what he was 
saying, when we felt an influence. Turning, to see 
from whence it came, we saw, standing by these two 
people, a woman, holding in her arms a beautiful 
little boy, presenting it to them, with the remark: 

"I have kept my promise; here is your little 
Franky baby." 

They were very much affected, and, after we had 
fully described the child, they declared its full identity. 

These are but few of the many tests given at the 
Sunday morning circle and evening meetings. Our 
audiences have been very large — on Sunday after- 
noon and evening reaching between four and five 
hundred souls. 

Tuesday, January 9, we left Philadelphia in search 
of our brother — the oldest of our family — whom we 
had not seen but once in five and thirty years. It had 
been whispered to us from spirit-life that he was dead, 
or a spirit. When last we heard from him, he was in 
Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Following up the whis- 



302 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

perings from spirit-life, we found it true. Our brother 
Samuel had passed on into spirit-life two years ago 
last October. The skeptic may ask us why this 
brother had not informed us of his departure. We 
answer, because, all our lives, we had been strangers, 
not seeing each other but twice in forty-three years, 
and writing but seldom to each other. Again we 
asked why his wife and son had not written to us of , 
his death. She answered: "For the simple reason 
that we did not know where you were." 

And here let me say, dear readers, that there are 
many men and women, friends and acquaintances we 
form after leaving the old home, who are as near and 
dear to us as members of the old home, and especially 
with one who has been estranged from his father's 
home over forty years. 



A BAT IN NEW YORK. 

Thursday, January 11, 1872, we passed in New 
York City with the mediums. Our first call was 
upon J. V. Mansfield, 361 Sixth avenue. While we 
were talking of old times — the time we knew each 
other in Boston — Brother Mansfield's hand was influ- 
enced, and the following communications were given: 

First. " My Brother Wilson, I thank you for the 
good work done at Goldsboro, North Carolina, last 
winter, in the family of my son-in-law, Wm. K. Bar- 
rinner; he married my daughter. Your labors in 
Goldsboro have been of great use to many of my 
friends, especially to my daughter and her husband. 



A DAY IN NEW YOKE. 303 

I have two daughters in spirit-life with me; their 
names are Mary and Sarah. "Will you publish this 
communication ? I am Mary Lawrens, the mother-in- 
law of ¥m. R. Barringer, of Goldsboro, North 
Carolina." 

Will Win. E. Barringer write us when he reads 
this, if the above statement is true? We know of 
Wm. R. B., and have been in his house. 

Second. "How is Hannah?" asked a spirit. 

" Yery well," we replied. 

" Is Eugene doing well? " 

"Yes; so far as we know." 

" Well, I am glad to hear it. You will remember 
me to her. I thank you and yours for the kindness 
extended to her. I am Captain Jacob Black, of 
Maine." 

This is a fine test, and one that was very unex- 
pected. We know Hannah and Eugene well, and, 
when her name was mentioned, we felt very sure that 
we were going to hear from her late husband, our old 
and tried friend, the late Ingraham Gould, Esq., of 
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, but were disappointed; and 
yet, the test from Captain Black was really a better 
one than the one from Mr. Gould, for we never knew 
Captain Black. 

Third. " Oh, my cnildren, my daughters, my hus- 
band! I thank you! I thank Mary. Oh! oh!! I 
must speak to them. The fire! I — am — your — 
their — Mary. I can 't continue the control any 
longer. M-a-t-d-a — " 

This spirit was one of three from whom I most 



304 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRIT CJALISM. 

desired to hear — my sister-in-law, Matilda, wife of 
Phineas Eames, who, with his two daughters, is at 
my house, in Illinois. The line of communication 
was here broken. 

Mr. Mansfield is an old and tried medium, and one 
through whom we have received many, many fine 
tests in the past. 

We next called on Sister Emma Hardinge-Britten, 
who is now speaking in New York City, at Apollo 
Hall. We found her looking well; in fact, we do not 
remember ever having seen her look better. Her 
answers to our questions were as follows, and, by her 
permission, we give them in substance: 

" I am not doing as well here as I wish; there are 
two societies, Sister Tappan speaking to one, admission 
free; I, before the Apollo Hall Society — fee, ten 
cents, at the door. I am glad, and thank my God 
every day of my life, that I took the course I did in 
my marriage with my husband, and that I was mar- 
ried in the manner I was, and in the Episcopal 
Church. I am happy in my marriage, and love my 
husband, and he loves me. We have a little house 
and three acres of land, which we are cultivating; my 
husband works it himself. I have known him long, 
and, although a gentleman born, he is willing to work; 
he is willing to do anything that is honorable and 
just. We are poor, for I lost everything in the pub- 
lishing of my book. I have secured an annuity for 
my mother, who is with me at our home in Massa- 
chusetts." 

We next proceeded to the quiet and elegant house 



A DAT IN NEW YORK. 305 

of our old friend, Dr. H. Slade, Clairvoyant. While 
there, the following communication and physical phe- 
nomena occurred: 

A slate was held between Dr. Slade and us, he hold- 
ing one end and we the other, and close to the table, 
when we heard the pencil write the words : 

" My Dear Brother: I am glad to meet you thus 
again. God bless, and spirits help and guide you in 
your good work. Go on, my dear friend, continue the 
work you have in hand, and fear not. The angels are 
with you, and will help you. I well remember the 
talk I had with you on the cars, coming up Grand 
River from tunica to Grand Rapids. If I had 
heeded your advice, I might have been with you, 
and others, working in the earth form. It is well, 
however. All is well. A. W. S." 

The above was written, without contact, on the 
slate with a piece of pencil not to exceed the six- 
teenth of an inch in length. The writer was our old 
acquaintance and co-laborer, Alinda Wilhelm Slade. 

The slate was then laid on the table, and under it a 
piece of pencil the sixteenth of an inch long and one- 
thirty-second part of an inch thick, between the slate 
and table, and full fifteen inches from Slade or myself. 
Dr. Slade then took us by the hand with both of his 
hands, when the pencil began to write; aud for nearly 
forty seconds we could hear the writing very dis- 
tinctly, when it ceased. On looking at the slate, we 
found the following written thereon: 

"My son, hold high your banner of truth; let its 
folds float out upon the breeze of progression. Your 
20 



306 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

work is a great one. I am pleased with the work you 
are doing. Go on! Be true to God, Spiritualism, 
and yourself. Samuel Wilson." 

After which, the right hand of a woman came up, 
between the table and us, to our beard — took hold of 
it and gave a pull. Then came the dusky hand of an 
Indian, who took hold of our coat and pulled it; this 
was repeated several times. We then took a large 
slate pencil, full six inches long, in our hand, and held 
it under the table; instantly, two hands came — one 
soft and velvety, and one large and coarse, with heavy 
touch; this hand clasped our wrist, holding it firmly, 
when the other took the pencil out of our hand. The 
reader will remember that both of Dr. Slade's hands 
were on the top of the table, as was our left hand. 
After the pencil had been taken out of our hand, we 
were requested to look under the table for the pencil. 
We did so, and the pencil was not found on the floor, 
or about the room. We joined hands, and, in a little 
time — say twenty seconds — we saw the pencil in the 
air descending slowly to the table, and lightly falling 
on our hand. 

Dr. Slade was then influenced by the Indian brave 
Wasso, who spoke to us words of cheer, and bid us 
return at eight o'clock in the evening, saying: 

" Big speak, come wait little time, and when me 
call, come up, and me give big speak — big see. Old 
brave, squaw, and some pappoose come." 

Dr. Slade, after this influence, asked us to tell him 
what the Indian had said to us. We did so. 

"Well, come and see what comes of it* r but I 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 307 

frankly tell you that every hour of the evening is fully 
engaged up to ten o'clock." 

Our friends will bear in mind that everything 
recorded above took place in broad daylight, and 
independent of any human agency, save the pres- 
ence of Dr. Slade and ourself in the room. We 
got no test from those we desired to, either through 
Mansfield or Slade, showing, conclusively, that the 
human mind has nothing to do, whatever, with the 
presentation of the phenomena. 



CHAPTEE XLIII. 

Sitting with Dr. Slade — We had not Taken our Seat a Minute 
before the Immortals were With Us — " Oh, my God, I Can't 
Stand This " — " Be Quiet, Doctor " — " Yes, That's my Wife's 
Hand and Arm " — " Yes, I am Your Father." 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

Returned again precisely at eight o'clock, to Dr. 
Slade's house, waiting for our summons to a council 
with the spirits. At half-past nine o'clock, we were 
called to the room. The table by which we sat is a 
common three-foot, fall leaf one, and was near the 
center of the room. Before sitting down, Dr. Slade 
stretched a line across the room between the table 



308 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

and the door. The room is about sixteen feet square, 
more or less, and well filled with furniture. This line, 
about the size of a good stout fish line, was six feet 
from the floor, hung slack; and in the center of this 
was a black cambric curtain about two yards wide and 
two to three yards long; between this curtain and the 
door through which we entered the room, there was a 
space full four feet with nothing in it. In the center 
of this curtain there is an aperture eight by ten inches, 
cut on three sides thus I I the flap pinned up to the 
line. The table stood against the curtain which trailed 
on the floor. We had not taken our seats a minute 
before the immortals were with us. First came three 
spirits whom we did not know; then came Mrs. 
Alinda Wilhelm Slade and others. These we saw 
clairvoyantly. Soon came a hand from under the 
table, up between us and it, fully visible to the phys- 
ical sense. This hand patted our coat sharply. It 
was the right hand of a woman. A chair was then 
moved visibly. Then the curtain was lifted up and 
let down; then shaken. During all this time the 
room was well lighted with gas — full head. It was 
then written on the slate, " Turn down the gas to half 
head." This was done. We now give our experience, 
or what we saw and felt. 

First, we felt a cold chilly current of air. Then all 
over us a full galvanic current, causing a very peculiar 
prickling sensation. The hair on our head, which is 
long and fine, as well as silvery gray, became very 
lively — each particular hair felt as though alive. We 
have felt this sensation very frequently. Then there 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 309 

was a feeling as of cold water, the whole length of the 
nervous spinal column. Then came several electric 
shocks, clear and distinct, in quick succession — after 
which we were as in ordinary life, without any un- 
usual feelings. During all this time, Dr. Slade was 
in an intense state of excitement — frequently exclaim- 
ing, " Oh, 'my God, I can't stand this! How can you 
sit there so still? Oh, my God, see them!" And then 
catching hold of us exclaiming, "How can you sit so 
quiet, with these things going on all about us? See 
them?" 

" Be quiet, Brother Slade," we replied. " If we 
make our bed in hell, God is there, and he being love, 
we can't be harmed, for he is here with his angels, 
and I guess we shall see him pretty soon. Let us 
wait and watch." 

" Great God, see there! " cried Slade. 

And we saw the black cambric curtain sharply 
shaken. Saw the thumb and part of the hand and 
wrist of a man's right hand. Then the curtain became 
still — the man's thumb and part of a hand disap- 
peared, and all was -quiet. We were at this time 
seated at the table, Dr. Slade on the left side. We 
were on the right side — our hands clasped in each 
other's — Slade's left in our right; our left in Slade's 
right; the room light enough to see to read long 
primer type. When Slade exclaimed: " Good God, 
look at the gas!" 

Turning our head, looking over our right shoulder, 
saw a large right hand — and arm below the elbow — 
of an Indian, turning down the gas until it was barely 



310 THE TKUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

visible. We again felt a sharp electric shock. Turn- 
ing our eyes toward the cambric curtain, we saw very 
white lines of light along the aperture and on the 
line; the room all the time growing lighter. All at 
once we were in a beautiful white light, everything 
was radiant. We turned to look at Dr. Slade, his face 
shone, his garments were white and glistening. We 
turned our eyes to the curtain and at the same mo- 
ment Dr. Slade exclaimed in great excitement, " Oh, 
see! see! ! My God, Wilson, do you see that?" 

" Yes, Doctor, we see it; be quiet." There before us, 
was a woman's left hand and arm, from the shoulder 
down — the thumb, fingers, hand, and wrist, as perfect 
as life, but white as alabaster, and in a halo that we 
cannot describe. The arm was clothed in a line lace 
sleeve, fastened at the wrist with a fine worked band 
and ruffles, in which sparkled a gem that reflected like 
the dew-drop under the rays of a June morning's sun- 
light. There was also a bracelet of jewels around the 
wrist that sparkled and shone even brighter than the 
light in which the arm and hand appeared. On the 
third and second fingers there were very fine-looking 
rings. 

Here Dr. Slade exclaimed, " I can't stand it — I 
cannot. Oh, oh! what is that," partially rising and 
leaning toward the arm. At this the arm turned over 
showing the back of the hand, and we saw clearly the 
stones in the rings on the fingers. The hand then 
took hold of the cambric curtain moving it to and 
fro and disappeared, we exclaiming, " That was the 
hand, arm, sleeve, and rings that belonged to our sis- 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 311 

ter, Alinda Wilhelm Slade. We should know that 
hand and the ring with the dark stone, at any time 
and anywhere!" 

" Yes, that is my wife's arm, hand, and rings," said 
Dr. Slade. 

The arm and hand continued in slow, graceful mo~ 
tion, waving to and fro, bending the elbow, the wrist, 
and finally the lingers. The appearing and disappear- 
ing of the hand, arm, and light, was gradual, easy, and 
graceful; there was no flitting or flashing hither and 
thither or other eccentric action, but a genuine spirit 
exhibition of power, will, and forethought, bringing 
vividly to our mind that Biblical exhibition of the 
parts of a man's hand that wrote on the wall of 
Belshazzar's reception room, " Mene, Mene, Tekel 
Upharsin." With this highly gratifying difference, 
Belshazzar and his witnesses were drunk — we were 
not. 

A little later, sharp raps came on the table ; a chair 
was moved; then the table; the curtain was violently 
shaken, lifted up and let down. We heard steps in 
the room. Then the room was filled with a light — 
such as we had never seen — unlike that in which the 
arm had appeared; that light was an alabaster white; 
this light was a golden one. A strange thrill of joy 
came over us — Dr. Slade exclaiming, "Great God, 
what is coming now?" 

" Be quiet, Doctor, let us wait, and the angels will 
do their work well, and we shall see the Messenger 
from the Summer Land, and some of the glory 
thereof." 



312 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

At this moment our mind was fully concentrated 
on first, our son, who was killed in the battle of 
Jonesboro; second, our sister-in-law, Mrs. Matilda 
Eames, who was burned to death at Birch Creek, in 
the Green Bay fire. We desired them to come. In 
our soul we said, Edwin, come. Come, Matilda. But 
one who died in September, 1844, who, at the time 
was not in our thoughts, came unbidden — and the 
manner of his coming was in this wise: 

First: There came onto the black cambric curtain, 
white lines of light; then the aperture in the curtain 
was filled with this soft, beautiful light, sitting in a 
sea of golden light; then there came up from the floor 
the top or crown of a head, covered with short white 
hair; then the forehead, the eyes, nose, mouth, chin, 
neck and shoulders of a man. The chin and face 
covered with a white beard about four inches long. 
Reader, that man was my father in every respect as 
we last saw him on the third day of November, 1843, 
save the beard. We never saw on his face a beard of 
one week's growth. There he stood before us, head, 
face, beard, neck and shoulders. He looked at us; we 
at him. We first broke the silence. "Father, ray 
father, do I see you — is it you — speak; my father, 
speak." He bowed three times, and then his lips 
moved, and we heard, (whether clairaudM y or with 
our natural ears, we are not prepared to say.) 

" Yes, I am your father, and I meet you, my son. 
Though in your early life there was a gulf between 
us" — neither understanding the other — "let that 
gulf be bridged. You the mortal, and I the immortal 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 313 

man, meeting midway on the archway of eternal life. 
Hold high your standard: stand beneath its waving 
folds in truth — never again bow to the wrong; fear- 
lessly stand in the breach and defend the right." 

Our father then rose up full head above the curtain, 
bowed to us, stepping back a little, and disappeared. 
Thus he came ; thus he left. We saw him ; we knew 
him. " Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be 
thy name." The gulf is bridged, and I love thee, my 
father. 

For a moment we sat in silence. Then Dr. Slade 
spoke, saying, " How like you your father is, in every 
respect, save size, and length of hair and heard. Your 
hair and beard is not as white as his; and how grand 
he appeared!" 

" Yes," we replied, " there is a striking resemblance 
in that immortal father to his son." 

Readers, our memory of our father is as follows: 
He was six feet in height at forty; weight at the 
heaviest, one hundred and ninety or two hundred 
pounds; well and compactly built, with strong arms, 
full sized hands, a thinking and hard-working 
man. When last we saw him, his face was some- 
what wrinkled, his hair was short, and face cleanly 
shaved. He stood five feet eleven inches, and weighed 
not to exceed one hundred and seventy pounds. We 
had not supposed there was so marked a resemblance 
between our father and us, as appeared in this spirit- 
ual being. 

Readers, what we have here related is strictly true; 
we saw it; Dr. Slade saw it, and we know whereof we 



314: THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

write — and in the language of John, when on the isle 
called Patmos, " I John saw and heard these things." 
We, E. V. Wilson, Dr. Henry Slade, saw and heard 
these things, and as in the past, so in the present, 
these immortals exclaim: "I am he that liveth, and 
was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; 
and have the keys of hell and of death." 

"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the 
things which are, and the things which shall be here- 
after." Eev. i: 18, 19. 

After these things, Dr. Slade was influenced by the 
spirit of the Indian Brave Wassa, who spoke words 
of cheer to us, and among other things said to us, 
" Big Preach and Big Light is here from your wig- 
wam." Then halting for a moment he said, " Say to 
squaws in Speak Brave's wigwam to come by and by, 
to the City of Many Wigwams, and with my media 
and yours, we will drive preach devils out of Big City." 
Then taking us by the right hand with his right hand, 
he laid his left hand (not tightly) on us saying, " Speak 
Brave, great work; great pow-wow by-and-by. Long 
Beard, big medium, much write. Speak Brave, Big 
Think, with many braves and squaws will hold big 
council, and then big work will begin. Good bye." 

We asked who were the parties he named, but were 
too late, he was gone. 

Thus closed our day in New York City. We shall 
never forget it. 



CHAPTEK XLIV. 

Return to Philadelphia — The New Yorker and Jim Fisk — The 
Lady Passenger — You lie, sir!— Jim's Charity — The Min- 
ister — How do you know ? — Will you quote the Scriptures 
correctly? — Are you satisfied? Yes, sir — That person was 
a Christian. 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

Friday, January 12. We left the St. Cloud Hotel 
at nine o'clock a. m., for Philadelphia. For the first 
time in our life, we went to bed by steam ; that is, 
instead of climbing up five stories, by flights of stairs, 
we stepped on a platform and were quietly sent to our 
room by steam. " Such a getting up stairs we never 
did see," and we question if many of our Western 
readers ever went to bed in this way. 

On the street-cars, going to Jersey City Ferry, we 
fell in with a talkative New Yorker, with whom we 
conversed, thusly: 

E. V. W. You have had great excitement here 
over the death of Jim Fisk, Jr. 

New Yorker. Yes, sir; James Fisk is dead — 
murdered in cold blood, sir; a downright assassina- 
tion. James Fisk had faults, sir, but he was not a 
murderer; and, with all his faults, many a poor 
family in New York and Jersey City will miss him. 
Sir, I know of many families who were dependent on 
him for their living. 



316 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

E. V. W. You seem to think well of him, with all 
his faults. 

New Yorker. Yes, sir; and James Fisk's name 
will live in the memory of many families after his 
assassin's name has been forgotten in the grave. 

E. V. W. Will Stokes be hung for his crime? 

New Yorker. Yes, sir; and, if he escapes the hal- 
ter, he will be assassinated within five hours. 

A Lady Passenger. Fisk deserved his fate, sir, 
and died as he had lived — a villain. 

New Yorker. How do you know, madam, that he 
was a villain ? Has he done yon any wrong? 

Lady. No! for he never had the opportunity; but 
everyone knows that James Fisk was an immoral, 
wicked, bad man, and kept his mistress, to the dis- 
grace of his family and society, and, hence, deserved 
his fate. 

E. Y. W. You see, sir, there are two opinions in 
regard to this man Fisk. 

New Yorker. (To the lady.) Madam, did James 
Fisk ever do you any wrong? 

Lady. No, sir; and for the very good reason, he 's 
never had the opportunity, sir. 

New Yorker. So, madam, James Fisk's offense, 
m your estimation, is that he did you no wrong, for 
the reason that you had no opportunity to accept the 
wrong from him. 

Lady. Sir, what do you mean ? 

New Yorker. That your language warranted the 
comment I made, and that you, in taking part in the 
conversation between this gentleman and myself, 



OUR EASTERN TOTTR. 317 

opened the door for the retort made. I believe in 
woman's rights. You assumed the right to speak on 
this occasion, and are entitled to the answer you 
invoked. James Fisk had his faults, madam ; but he 
never slandered a woman. He would go, in his car- 
riage, in open day, and in the face of the world, to 
his mistress' house; his calumniators, with a lie on 
their tongues to their wives, would go to theirs in the 
dark. 

E. V. W. Were you personally acquainted with 
Fisk? 

New Yorker. Yes, sir; and know that there was 
a systematic plan on foot to rob him, and this woman 
is one of them. 

Lady. You lie, sir! 

New Yorker. Thank you ; you have proved all I 
have stated. Good morning. 

And we left the car for Jersey City; and having 
friends near the Erie Dej)ot, we called on them, when 
we found that the dastardly murder of Fisk was the 
topic of conversation. 

Again we heard of his charities, and of families, 
where the father and husband had been killed in the 
service of the Erie Railroad, that were receiving full 
pay, as when the heads of the families were living. 

This certainly speaks well for his charity, but did it 
warrant him in doing wrong? But we can afford to 
let his ashes rest in peace, for the chaplain of his 
regiment assures us he has gone to glory, through the 
blood of Jesus Christ. 

At one o'clock p. m., we found ourself seated in the 



318 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

cars of the Camden and Amboy Railroad, and on our 
way to Philadelphia. On the opposite side of the car, 
a little in front of us, we noticed a group of three 
men, who seemed to be talking of us, from their looks, 
and nods, and motions of their hands. Soon one of 
them arose and came to us, saying: 

" I believe this is E. Y. "Wilson, the Spiritualist, 
who lectured in Philadelphia last Sunday." 

" Yes, sir; your belief is founded on facts; you are 
right." 

" Well, I am not a Spiritualist! " 

"You need not tell us that, sir; your looks deter- 
mine the fact." 

" Well, sir, what is there in my looks whereby you 
judge me?" 

"Well, you are thin; well dried from contact with 
heat; you are wrinkled, and look sad; you have fear 
of God and the Devil in your features ; besides, you 
are a Presbyterian minister, and in which creed we 
' take no stock,' whatever. Sir, we are not Christians, 
but possess a practical religion, full of joy, whose 
axiom is knowledge. We know that we are immor- 
tal. Do you? 

"'No, sir; but we are taught to believe in God and 
his Christ, in the repentance of sin, and the remission 
thereof through the blood of God's crucified Son." 

" I know you are, sir; but what an idea; only think 
for one moment, that the I Am, with whom all things 
are possible, who made the earth and all there is in it 
in six days, and pronounced it good, could not keep it 
in goodness; but losing it, through evil, is, and was, 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 319 

compelled, in order to save his own handiwork, to kill 
a man, and damn a man, in order to save a man. 
Jesus said to those Jews who believed on him : ' Ye 
seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth 
which I have heard of God.' " 

"Will you quote the Scriptures correctly, sir?" 
"Yes, sir; we have quoted them correctly." 
"Will you give me the chapter and verse?" 
"Yes, sir; you will find it in the eighth chapter of 
St. John, part of the thirty-first and fortieth verses. 
Here it is," we said, presenting him our Testament. 

Taking it, he turned at ouce to the title page, to see 
if it was " The New Testament of our Lord and Savior, 
Jesus Christ, translated out of the original Greek, and 
with the former translations dilligently compared and 
revised. New York: American Bible Society, insti- 
tuted in the year mdcccxvi — 1850." 

" There, sir, are you satisfied that the church for 
whom you preach published that Testament? " 

"Yes, sir; but I confess I doubted the correctness 
of your quotations." 

" Of course you did; and you are not the first man 
who is afraid of the revolver he has placed in the 
hands of his enemy. Will you turn to the fiy-leaf 
and read the inscription written there?" 
"What is the object?" 
"When you have read it, I will tell you." 
"Well, sir, it reads: 'Presented to Mr. E. Y. 
Wilson, of Toronto, by his new acquaintance and 
friend, Eoberto, of Virginia. 5 " 
" Read on, will you ? " 



320 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"Yes; if you wish it." 

"We do; for it is important in connection with 
what we have to say." 

" There are a few on this bleak earth, 
Whose friendship I would claim, 
And on that list of sacred worth 
I have plainly traced thy name." 
"September 13, '53." 

"There, sir; that person was a Christian; came on 
a visit to Toronto to friends; was thrown off by them; 
came to my house; gave me this Testament, and asked 
me to believe it ; borrowed of me forty dollars, besides 
owing me sixty dollars' board bill, and then left. 
This person believes that, through the blood of Jesus 
Christ, she will be saved and I will be damned." 

"My friend, you are in a bitter mood; you should 
learn to be calm, as well as generous. I came to you 
in friendship, and with a desire to persuade you from 
the evils of Spiritualism." 

"You did; and in your first remark you insulted 
us, by telling us to our face, l that you took no stock 
in Spiritualism' — virtually saying that it is a hum- 
bug; and that all who teach its truths are imposters; 
and then you insult me by doubting the authenticity 
of the New Testament, as you did when you turned to 
the title page, to see if it was a genuine one or not; 
and your closing remarks are abusive, inasmuch as 
you seek to convert us from our evil ways, or ' the 
evils of Spiritualism.' Now, sir, we offer you a dis- 
cussion on the following resolution: 



OUK EASTERN TO [IE. 321 

Resolved, That the Christian religion, as taught, 
had its conception and birth in evil, and that the ser- 
pent of Genesis, is really the great founder of your 
Christi aity, he foreseeing the necessity of a redeemer. 

''Will you discuss this resolution with us in Phila- 
delphia, next week, or, beginning to-morrow, at half 
past seven o'clock p. m., under strict parliamentary 
rules? Yes, or no; answer?" 

"No; I will not!" 

This caused a great sensation with the passengers, 
who cried, " Coward! " " Back out! " " Bah! " and 
we were left alone for the balance of the way to Phil- 
adelphia. 

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 13, 14, 
and 15, we were in Philadelphia. On Sunday, our 
hall was filled in the morning; full &ve hundred at 
Dr. Child's circle, and every inch of the sitting room 
was occupied in the evening, and many were obliged 
to stand. On Monday evening we had over three 
hundred persons present, with an admission fee at the 
door. 

During the four meetings, we gave forty-seven 
tests, forty-one of which were fully identified on the 
spot. 

First. To Mr. De Hass. "There is with you a 
little boy — your son." We fully described him, and 
gave his name. 

Second. To Mr. Bush. "There is with you a 
spirit, who gives his name as Captain Waters, and 
who informs me that he knew you in early life, when 
you lived in Ashtabula, Ohio." 
21 



322 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

This spirit mentioned many names familiar to him, 
but the spirit was not identified, and, hence, counted 
out. Mr. B., however, wrote his brother, in Ohio, for 
information in regard to the matter, and every state- 
ment has since been corroborated. 

Third. To a lady. "There is with you a spirit." 
We fully described her and gave her name, but she was 
not identified. 

After the meeting was over, there came to us a lady, 
who stated that " the spirit you saw by the lady whom 
she could not identify, I knew well ; and every inci- 
dent, name, and place, is in my history." 

The same thing occurred in a second case, with a 
gentleman, the man behind him being fully cognizant 
of every fact given the first party. 

We know that, at times, when two parties of similar 
temperament are sitting side by side, or one behind 
the other, and the spirit stands between them, it is 
difficult, indeed, for us to determine to which the 
spirit comes. But the work goes bravely on, and all 
is well. 



CHAPTER XLY. 

Our Visit to Hammonton — The Excellent Mother and Child — 
Step forward, Brother! — The Home of Brother Peebles — 
A Startling Test — Return to Philadelphia — Mrs. A., the 
Medium. 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

Tuesday, January 16. We left Philadelphia for 
Hammonton, New Jersey, at eight o'clock a. m. 
Arriving at Hammonton at a quarter before ten 
o'clock a. m., we were met by Brother Bradley, and 
conducted to the quiet home of Brother Wooley, the 
silversmith, who, with his excellent companion, ever 
strives to make the wanderer at home. 

Brother Wooley has just returned from a trip to 
California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. He 
was in the snow blockade for many days, and has 
come to the very sensible conclusion of remaining 
where he is. 

In this city, we made the acquaintance of an excel- 
lent woman and mother, who is toiling on, " stitching, 
stitching," on shirts and pants, for the support of her- 
self and child — the deserted wife and daughter of 
one who claims to preach the gospel of truth and 
Spiritualism. A few short years ago, this woman was 
in a happy home, unencumbered, and 'was taken from 
it under the professions of love, to be deserted and 
left, a little later, to care for herself and child — his 

(323) 



324 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

child. And oh ! how sweet and winsome are the ways 
of the little darling, so pretty and gentle — the " little 
Birdie." God judge you, brother; w r e shall not. We 
write in no spleen, but in the spirit of duty and love, 
with good will to all. But, as we understand Spirit- 
ualism, we cannot sanction this desertion of a wife 
and child, without a home or means of support, save 
woman's last resort — "shirt-making, or dishonor." 
Step forward, brother, and be a man! Free this 
woman from the bond that hath made her your 
property. Give to her the darling child, and set 
her free; or come to her support, like a man! 

There are two societies of Spiritualists in Ham- 
monton — one is called the Conservative, and the 
other the Radicals. The very conservative of the 
Conservative Society do not, nor did not, countenance 
us, or our meetings. The more liberal of the Con- 
servatives were among our friends. There is a hall, or 
church, here, built by members of both societies, con- 
trolled by the Conservatives, who made the Radicals 
pay for the use of the hall they helped to build. This 
is the direct fruit of organization with stakes and 
chains, fencing in the righteous and out the wicked. 
Thus did not Jesus. 

The Radicals, referred to above, are, in our estima- 
tion, the saving element of Hammonton; and we 
question if there can be found the same number of 
men and women, in any community, who are purer in 
thought, deed, or act, than these so-called Radicals. 
We love them — the Presseys. Bradley s, Wooleys, and 
others. 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 325 

Hammonton is the home of Brother J. M. Peebles; 
and here lives his wife, a noble woman and true, of 
whom all speak well. We did not meet her, hence 
could not greet her with the good will of a brother, 
and co-worker with her companion and mate. May 
the harmony of their lives be like the summer's sun- 
shine and spring water — pure, warm, and eternal. 

We lectured in this place four times, and held one 
seance, giving, in all, over one hundred fine tests, 
most of which were fully identified on the spot. 
Some that were denied at first, were afterward fully 
approved. Of these, we mention the case of Dr. 

N , to whom we described two spirits, and fixed 

five dates in his life, which he could not identify. On 
returning to his home, and reviewing the statements, 
he confirmed everything. 

Mr. E. Bradley received a startling test of past life, 
which brought him to his feet in such a manner that 
all conceded its sharp points. 

Our attendance was not large, yet good, the Con- 
servatives refusing to come out, because Brother 
Peebles and ourself switch each other occasionally, 
though this very switching is good for both of us. 
" Whom the Lord lovethhe chasteneth," and the truly 
brave and honorable man ever loves the brave, who 
dares to act in the battle of life. The Conservative 
Society refused to come to our meetings. We say it 
fearlessly! We advised our society to go and hear 
Brother Dean Clark, w T ho was to speak for the Con- 
servatives on Sunday, the 21st instant. We are willing 
to let the world judge us. 



326 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, January 20, 21, and 
22, we filled the desk in Philadelphia, speaking to 
crowded houses; in fact, our mission to the City of 
Brotherly Love has been a success, and the tests were 
simply wonderful. 

Dr. Child's Sunday afternoon circle is the best thing 
we ever attended in the form of a Spiritual meeting; 
and on the occasion of the afternoon of Sunday, the 
21st, we had full iiye hundred present, and many line 
tests were given by the different mediums in the hall. 
The following tests may be of interest to our readers: 

First. Mrs. A., the medium, said: "I see by this 
woman," pointing out the woman, " an old man about 
seventy-five; he is stooping; has very gray hair; has 
been in the spirit world nineteen years; he says this 
woman is his daughter Sarah." 

The lady affirmed the statement to be correct. 

Second. To a young man, Mrs. A. pointed out a 
soldier, who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, 
describing him so minutely that he was at once recog- 
nized. 

Mrs. De H. then gave several fine tests — one to us, 
which we fully recognized. 

Our turn then came, and, for forty minutes, we 
mingled with the people, walking from one end of the 
hall to the other, giving dates and incidents in the 
lives of over twenty men and women; also, locating 
disease, hurts, deaths, likeness to parents, number 
of members of the family to whom the subject be- 
longed, as well as describing many spirits. To one 
we said: "In September, when you were nineteen 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 327 

years old, you were nearly killed by the falling of a 
heavy stick of timber. It looks to us like a round, 
long log, or tree, but see no limbs nor bark." 

" Can you give the day of the month and week? " 

" Yes! on Thursday, the 17th." 

" You are correct, sir. I came near losing my life 
by the fall of a derrick, in a shipyard, on Thursday, 
the 17th of September — the year I was nineteen, in 
my twentieth." 

To a lady. " We find in your father's family, and 
entailed on his children — not from your mother's 
side — many sudden deaths, by accident or disease, in 
early life. On your mother's side of the house, we 
find well-defined pulmonary difficulties." 

The lady replied: "You are remarkably correct. 
How did you get these things?" 

" Your aunt, with whom you were a favorite, tele- 
graphed them to us." 

" On which side of the house did this aunt belong? " 

" The mother's." 

" You are right again." 

To a man, we described a spirit woman minutely, 
giving her name in full, her age, and when he knew 
her; described her house, and their relations to each 
other. Then, stepping to the man, we said: "This 
woman stands here, between these two men, and we 
believe her to be an old sweetheart of this gentleman. 
She subsequently married a worthless fellow, who 
made a shipwreck of life, and this woman went down 
to the grave through troubles brought on by the hus- 
band. Will you answer, yes or no, to this reading?" 



328 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

u No ! " promptly replied the man. 

" Then you know nothing about this statement? " 

"No, sir! It is not true. There has nothing of 
the kind occurred in my life." 

" We have been very frank with you, sir, and this 
is an important statement. We see her now. She 
stands between you and this man, and affirms the facts 
in the face of your denial, and your word will be 
taken before ours." 

"Well, sir, I can assure you it is not true of me!" 

The other man then said : " Mr. Wilson, your state- 
ment is true in every respect, and belongs to my 
history, instead of this man's. It is literally true." 

" We leave the matter in the hands of the audience; 
they must decide on its merits," we replied. 



CHAPTER XLYI. 

Rover's Ford —Schuylkill Valley — Valley Forge — The Keeper 
of the Village Tavern — A Christian Man — "I never had a 
Sister" — "Yes, but she is Dead." 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

Tuesday, January 26th. Eoyer's Ford, on the bank 
of the Schuylkill Eiver, thirty-two miles from Phil- 
adelphia, via the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, 
on which we had a pleasant ride up the Schuylkill 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 320 

valley, one of the finest in the United States, dotted 
with villages, beautiful country residences and parks, 
and abounding in fine natural scenery, as well as being 
one of the finest farming countries in the world. We 
were in a sort of dream, looking forth from the win- 
dows of our soul, drinking in the beautiful winter 
views of this truly beautiful valley — when we were 
startled out of our dream by the brakeman 's shout of 
"Valley Forge!" 

Oh! what recollections of the past rushed through 
our brain on hearing this name called. In a moment 
we were with the heroes of the Bevolution, with the 
hungry, frozen and ragged army of Washington. We 
saw those old veterans tramping through the snow 
barefooted, nearly naked; on short rations — some 
starving, watching, waiting for the beacon-star of 
Liberty to take its place in the New World, as one 
more in the great family of nations. Then the sons 
of the North and South were brothers in arms under 
a Virginia leader — fighting for freedom. Then 
swiftly gliding back over the clairvoyant currents 
of life, how changed to-day! The sons and daughters 
of the North and South — unlike their fathers and 
mothers — are watching, waiting for separation, for 
the setting of the star of Liberty! Then may we 
exclaim in the language of Walt Whitman: 

"Blow again, trumpeter; — conjure war's wild alarms! 

Swift to thy spell, a shuddering bum like distant thunder rolls. 

Lo! where the armed men hasten — ho! mid the clouds of dust, 

the glint of bayonets — 
I see the grim-faced cannoniers — I mark the rosy flash amid the 

smoke — I hear the cracking of the guns ! 



330 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Nor war alone: — thy fearful music-song wild player, brings 

every sight of fear — 
The deeds of ruthless brigands — rapine — murder! I hear the 

cries for help ! 
I see ships foundering at sea — I behold on deck and below deck 

the terrible tableaux." 

All is gone, when one of those grand old stars — 
the noble thirteen — drop out of their brilliant con- 
stellation. The setting broken, their glory gone, the 
Union lost ! The Gods forbid ! " The Union must 
and shall be preserved ! " 

"Koyer's Ford!" shouted the brakeman, disturbing 
our dream, bringing us to a sense of our position. We 
grasped our satchel and hurried out. On the depot 
platform, we were met by Captain Samuel Egoff, who 
greeted us with a brother's welcome — then taking us 
to the pleasant and happy home of Mary Buckwalter, 
in which we felt that we were welcome. We gave two 
lectures in this place — we believe the first on the 
subject of Spiritualism ever spoken here. The hall 
was well filled each night, and we gave several fine 
tests, of which the following will be of interest to 
our readers : 

First. To a man, the keeper of the village tavern, 
we gave a close reading of character, marking the 
likeness to his father and mother; also giving three 
dates in his life, of 'marked importance. We then 
called for approval from those who knew him. All 
conceded that it was strictly true; and the man him- 
self said " It is correct in every respect." 

" Save one," said a friend of ours. 

" And what is that % " we asked. 



OUK EASTERN TOUB. 331 

14 He sells whisky." 

"Does he?" 

"Yes, sir!" 

" Has he a license to sell?" 

"Yes, sir!" 

" His license is granted him by the officers legally 
elected for that purpose?" 

"Yes, sir!" 

" Very well, sir, we would sell whisky, if we were 
in his place. And you have no right to find fault 
with him. You, sir, and every other sovereign voter 
who voted a license law, or for officers to grant this 
man and others the right to sell whisky, or other 
intoxicating drinks to your sons, brothers, fathers, 
or to yourselves — have no right to find fault with 
him! You are to blame; you, the sovereign voters, 
and none else! Put the ballot into the hands of your 
women, and this crying evil will be done away with 
at once." 

Second. An old man, a Christian (we believe an 
exhorter in the church), got up to leave, and as he 
arose, there stood with him a woman and little boy, 
and as he stepped into the aisle to go out, we said, 
"The man now leaving, please wait a little." He 
stopped reluctantly, and with a defiant look of disap- 
proval, turned toward us. As he did so, we said: 
"There is a woman from spirit life standing with 
yon, and she has with her a little boy, who has been 
in spirit life some time. This woman died very early 
in life, and is your sister, and lias with her your son." 
Then we gave a full and minute description of them, 



332 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

again stating this woman lias been long in spirit life. 
What do you know of this ? 

" I never had a sister, sir." 

" Then you had no sister." 

" I never had a sister, and have none now." 

" Did your mother ever bury any children?" 

"Yes; but they are dead, and I have no sister." 

"Was one of those children your mother buried, a* 
girl?" 

" I had no sister, I tell you!" 

" We do not care whether you had a sister or not; 
was one of those children buried by your mother, a 
girl? Answer us; yes, or no!" 

" But she is dead." 

"The girl?" 

" Yes." 

" Then your mother buried a girl — a daughter." 

"Yes, but she is dead — died long ago, and was 
buried, hence she can't be here." 

" Then you had a sister?" 

"Yes, but she is dead." 

"That will do, so far as the sister is concerned. 
Now how is it about the boy, your son? Please 
answer." 

Then, readers, this Christian wheeled on his heel 
and left the hall. A man then spoke, saying, " He 
has lost a son, such as you have described, and I put 
up a fence around his grave." 

Thus this Christian man sought to, and did avoid 
the truth. Why? Because it conflicted with his 
religious dogmas. 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 333 

Ah, Christianity! you have many sins of omission 
and commission to answer for in that day, when you 
stand before the soul-mirror of your future! 

Two boys were seen and identified, who were 
drowned some years ago. 



CHAPTEE XLYII. 

Seance in Camden, New Jersey — On it we read: "The Last 
Will and Testament" — I am Mr. H. — Mind Reading — He 
is Dr. Henry. 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

On Thursday and Saturday evenings, January 25 
and 27, we gave seances in Camden, New Jersey, to 
good audiences, giving many fine tests, among which 
are the following: 

To a man, we said : " We see by you the spirit of 
an old man. He is tall, spare, and of dark complex- 
ion; his hair is iron-gray; his brow is broad and 
receding; he died many years ago. We also see a 
hillside, or country, home. It is a fine estate; the 
mansion is a fine one, standing in a fine park of trees." 
We then described the building, gates, walks, etc., 
" This spirit now shows us a package of papers. He 



334: THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

takes one of them out of the package and holds it out 
to ns. On it we read : * The Last Will and Testament 

of , 1781.' On the second paper, we read: 

' Covenant and Bond, 1804, with .' These 

papers are of value to you, and you are looking 
after them. They are far from here, in another part 
of the world. They are secreted in an attic room, in 
the mansion on the hillside, that we saw and have 
described." 

''I am Mr. H . Many here know who I am. I 

recognize the spirit. All the statements are strictly 
true. The Will was dated 1781, and the Covenant 
and Bond, in 1804:. They are of great value to me, 
and others, and the suppositions of all concerned are, 
these papers are secreted in the mansion on the 
hillside." 

" Mind reading," said a voice. 

To which Mr. H replied: " ~Not by any means, 

sir, for I was thinking of a matter entirely foreign 
to the communication just given by Mr. Wilson." 

To a lady, we said: "Here is with you a man," 
describing him. "He was a physician. He is Dr. 
Henry." 

" I recognize him well. You are right in your 
statement, sir." 

To a man came two spirit sisters, who were fully 
described and readily identified. 

To an old man came a lovely little girl, just as she 
was in health and life, before death called her home. 
Then she stood forth in all the pride of well-developed 
womanhood of spirit-life, exclaiming, "My father, I 



OTJR EASTERN TOTTE. 335 

live to love you, and will meet you with joy, ere long, 
in the Summer Land!" 

The spirit was fully recognized. 

To a young man, we said : " We see you when 
twenty years old. It is afternoon of the 16th of 
August. There is a heavy blow given you from 
behind; it looks to us like a handspike, in the hands 
of another man. The blow is a glancing one, hurting 
your head and left shoulder, as well as arm." 

" You are right, sir ; and the blow came near killing 
me; had it fallen fully on me, I should not have been 
here to-night." 

" What day of the month, and what month of the 
year, did this accident occur to you, sir?" 

" On the 16th of August, in the afternoon of the 
day; I remember well the time." 

"We see, by this man, a boy — his son; this son, 
when fourteen years old, was drowned; he would be 
twenty-six years old, if living to-day." 

"You are correct," replied the man. 

These are but a few out of seventy-two tests given 
on these evenings in Camden. Thus the work goes 
bravely on. 

Our meetings have been a grand success in the City 
of Brotherly Love, beginning with one hundred and 
seventy -four hearers, and concluding our engagement 
with a full house. 



CHAPTEK XLVIII. 

We leave Harrisburg, Pa. — The Drowning — The Gallon of 
Whisky — Davy Couch's Spirit — Disturbed — You are a Set 
of Thieves — Put him Out — York, Pa. — May I Kiss You — 
My Name is Nellie — Ma, Don't Cry for Me — Not Alone in 
Death. 

our Eastern tour. 

Tuesday, January 30th, we left for Harrisburg, Pa., 
where we gave three lectures, closing February 1st. 
At Fairview we had a small audience, it being a place 
where Spiritualism is but little known and less under- 
stood. During our lecture, we gave nine tests, of 
which we mention the following as worthy of atten- 
tion: 

To a man we gave the following test: We see you 
at seventeen, with two others, in a drowning condi- 
tion, describing it, the place and the parties with him. 

"How do you get this?" he asked. 

" Your sister, a spirit, gives it to us." 

"You are right, and this is the second time you 
have given me this same communication. The first 
time two years ago, and to-night." 

A man challenged us to read him, with a " You 
can't do it!" "Come and touch our hand with your 
fingers," we replied. 

He did so. 

We then gave him a detailed account of his life, 
(336) 



OUR EASTERN TOUK. 337 

history, and his character, and the audience, with one 
voice, declared the reading correct. 

We were somewhat troubled, during our meeting, 
with the spirit of one gallon of whisky that had con- 
trol of one of our audience; but we are not disposed 
to find fault. Both the man and the whisky were true 
to themselves, and acted under the law. 

Wednesday, January 30th, we lectured in Barr's 
Hall, Harrisburg, to an intelligent audience. We 
gave eighteen tests, twelve of which were identified 
on the spot; three subsequently. 

To Davy Couch : There came seven spirits — three 
sisters, one brother, and u sweetheart," the grandfather 
and his mother — all of whom were fully described, 
and they mentioned many traits and incidents in the 
old man's life. He is the last of his tribe, and will 
soon go home to those he loved, all identified. 

To Mr. Potts came his wife and brother, who were 
so fully described that they were at once fully recog- 
nized. 

To a stranger: At seventeen years of age, you take 
great responsibilities, acting for others as well as your- 
self. At twenty, you make another remarkable change, 
affecting your whole life. Nine years ago the twenty- 
eighth day of next June, and continuing to the after- 
noon of the fifth of September, you are in continual 
excitement and danger, but on the third of July, at 
six o'clock a. m., you are in the very jaws of death. I 
get this statement from one who was a soldier, and 
who was with you most of the time. He was killed 
at the battle of Gettysburg. The man answered, 
22 



338 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

"You are correct in every particular; it is very 
remarkable!" 

To a lady we gave a very remarkable diagnosis of 
her ailments. This reading was, in every feature, 
considered one of the best we had ever given in the 
city of Harrisburg. 

Then came a spirit and stood by a man and related 
to us his character, as well as the incidents in his life, 
and then turning to us, told us just what the man 
had said of us and Spiritualism that afternoon, as 
well as the number of persons who were present. 
The man arose and declared it all correct. 

Thursday, February 1st, we held a sceance at three 
o'clock, and lectured at half-past seven p. m. We 
gave, during the day, fifty-two tests, fourteen of which 
were not fully identified. Our evening was seriously 
disturbed by a man professing love for, and belief in, 
Jesus Christ, and the Bible as the Word of God. He 
frequently interrupted us during our lecture — we 
continually treating him kindly. At last his abuse 
became unbearable. Dr. Barr, the owner of the hall, 
had frequently called him to order; told him to be 
still or leave the hall. He declared that he had paid 
his money (which, by the way, was false, for certain 
parties paid his fee for him), and should stay as long 
as he pleased, and say what he pleased. At this, Dr. 
Barr went for him and started him for the door. He 
resenting and threatening the doctor with blows and 
such pleasant words out of Christian teachings as 
these: "You are all a set of G — d d — m thieves! 
You hounds of hell! you have robbed me of my 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 339 

money (fifteen cents fee at the door), and now under- 
take to pat me out of doors! You sons of hell!" At 
this point two or three of his friends came to his res- 
cue, and there was a clinch. We hurried to the scene 
of action, and it was soon over. But this we will say, 
Dr. Barr is not easily lifted off his feet. 

We here present our readers with two articles, clip- 
pled from that excellent daily, "The Evening Mer- 
cury,'' Harrisburg, Friday, Feb. 1st and 2d. These 
articles speak for themselves: 

" Spirits of the Departed ' Interviewed.' Mr. E. 
Y. Wilson, the great test medium, lectured in Barr's 
Hall last evening to a large audience. The lecture was 
very generally pronounced superior, in delivery and 
argument, to any previous one on the same subject in 
Harrisburg. His manner and address were such as 
to command the closest attention of his auditors. He 
held them, as it were, spell-bound for an hour and 
fifteen minutes. The tendency of his argument was 
rather convincing than otherwise. During his lec- 
ture he gave the details of a very interesting visit he 
had made to Dr. Slade's, in New York. How he 
went there hoping to see and have an interview with 
the spirits of several of his relatives who perished in 
the great Wisconsin fires last fall, but to his delight 
and great surprise his father, who had passed away or 
died thirty years ago, entered the room where they 
were assembled and gave his name and the name of 
the lecturer, E. Y. Wilson, in full, which names were 
unknown to anyone present, and held a long converse 
with them. At the close of the lecture, Mr. Wilson 



340 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

gave several tests of the presence of spirits. To one 
gentleman present he gave seven, testifying to the 
presence of his two sisters, one brother, one that had 
been a ' sweetheart ' in early life, his mother and 
father and a sister that died lately, describing these 
persons, whom he had never seen nor heard of in the 
flesh, so accurately that the gentleman at once recog- 
nized them. To another person he described his wife, 
his brother and aunt, with whom he had been a great 
favorite. To another, three important events in his 
life. To another, a lady, her descendants. In all he 
gave eighteen tests, thirteen of which were fully iden- 
tified." 

Friday, February 2d, we were very unwell, not able 
to leave our room until two o'clock, p. m., and then, 
weak and sick, we left for the old and conservative 
town of York, Pa., where but few lectures have been 
given. We lectured at night, expecting only a score 
of hearers, and had full five hundred. Our meeting 
was again disturbed by a crazy man, whose course was 
universally deprecated by all present. ~VVe gave sev- 
eral fine tests — all of which were fully accepted. Our 
audience were so well pleased that we were re-engaged 
to give two more lectures on the next Thursday and 
Friday evenings, February 8th and 9th, which we 
accepted. 

Brother Jacob Kuehn, (pronounced Keen) secretary 
and managing officer of the city of York gas works, 
is the head and front of every spiritual movement in 
old York. There are others who are now his helpers 
— among whom are his father, Mr. Brown, and several 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 341 

young men of sterling worth and ability. One of 
those pleasing little incidents occurred at the pleasant 
home of Jacob Kuehn, that always cheers the wan- 
derer. Nellie, a sweet little girl, met us at the foot 
of the stairs as we came down from our room, putting 
out her little hands, saying, " You will be my uncle 
and I will be your good little girl. May I kiss you?" 

The little darling; we took her up and held her 
close to our soul — all the time thinking of our own 
dear little ones so far away in the West. 

" Have you a little girl?" she asked. 

"Yes, darling, just about your own age; and we 
have a bright-eyed little boy also — our Lois and 
Willie." 

"Well," she said, "My name is Nellie, and my 
little brother has gone to heaven," and then her little 
head rested against our shoulder, and we heard an 
ominous rattle in her lungs, that foreboded her no 
good. We turned to the mother, calling her atten- 
tion to the fact. She observed that she had noticed 
the rattling since Nellie had had the scarlet fever. On 
the Monday following, February 5th, in the afternoon, 
little Nellie left her happy earth-home for one in the 
Summer Land; and a little before she died, she called 
her mother (Mrs. Kuehn was her aunt — in fact, Nel- 
lie's mother being also in the spirit land,) to her, say- 
ing, " Ma, don't cry for me, for I am not going to be 
alone' Brother Herbert and my ma are with me, and 
they are going to take me with them this evening;" 
and then her eyes would follow these Immortals around 
the room, while a smile of heavenly joy rested on her 



342 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

little face. Later, she left, saying, "Mother, do not 
weep for Nellie, for I am not alone." 

Blessed thought — not alone in death! The dear 
ones who have preceded us, are ever near — taking us 
by the hand and lifting us up out of the valley of 
darkness, into the home of life and light. O spirits ! 
O eternity! Cheered by the sweet influence of angel 
friends — may all of us realize, as did this little girl, 
child Nellie, that death has no terror to the true soul, 
and the God -loving man. 

Saturday, February 3d, also the 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th 
and 12th, we lectured in Baltimore to good audiences 
on Sunday evenings, and small audiences on week-day 
evenings. The First Society of Spiritualists is really 
the only society now in Baltimore. At the head of 
this society stands our friend and brother, Wash. A. 
Danskin, Esq. — a man and scholar, true to Spiritual- 
ism, and all that pertains thereto. His work in Balti- 
more has been a herculean one, never halting, never 
turning aside — with an eye single to the interests of 
the cause he loved so well — he has toiled on, and 
what has he gained? Enmity, contempt, abuse, and 
desertion! Those who should have stood by him, 
have been the first to desert him. What lias he lost 
by his defense of Spiritualism? A princely home 
and property by the thousands, and is to-day compar- 
atively a poor man to what he was twenty years ago. 
Faithfully by his side, firm as the rock, stands his 
charming wife, companion, and helper indeed, a true 
medium and one of superior worth. May God and 
the angels bless and ever be near these faithful work- 



WASHINGTON. 343 

ers in the cause of Spiritualism. There are some 
sweet singers in this society, under the lead of Brother 
Jones, who is a medium of superior ability, and we 
predict that, ere long, our Brother Jones will fill a 
place in the front ranks of our speakers. May the day 
be hastened, when he shall take his place among us. 



CHAPTEE XLIX. 

We found ourself in Washington, D. C — "Sir, we go back 
thirty years in your life history!" — "Remarkable! I have 
that sermon now!" — Brother Davis is here — We read 
Brother Davis — All Mind Reading — Let us now decide 
this Mind Reading — The German Spirit not Identified — 
It is True — Junius Unmasked — Thos. Paine acknowledged 
the authorship of Junius. 

WASHINGTON. 

Tuesday, February 6, 187.2, we found onrself in 
Washington, the capital of the United States, at two 
o'clock. It was a dark, stormy day — the elements 
against us — and we expected no gain from our meet- 
ing, lilight came; it was dark and cloudy, and wet 
and sloppy under foot. We were disappointed; the 
people came out, and we were greeted with a good 
and paying audience. We spoke again on Wednesday 



344 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

evening, by request. We gave, daring the two even- 
ings, ninety-two test statements, of which many were 
identified on the spot, as follows: 

To. Dr. II . " Sir, we go back in your history 

thirty years this past fall. We find you then in the 
midst of marked and strong religious influences and 
surroundings; you conflicted with others and their 
views; you stepped out of their influences, and put 
on record these words: 'God, man, or demon, has 
no right heretofore, or now, or hereafter, to mar or 
bar my soul in its right to progress.' There is here a 
spirit with you, who tells me this. Is it true, or false? 
You only can determine the matter. Now, sir, we 
are an entire stranger to you; what say you?" 

The doctor arose, exclaiming, " Remarkable! Thirty 
years ago this past fall, I was preparing for the min- 
istry; my family thoroughly conservative members of 
the church; I became dissatisfied, and wrote out a 
discourse, and read it before our people, in which I 
used the words he has spoken, or language equivalent 
thereto. I have that sermon in my possession now, 
and will bring it here to-morrow night, proving his 
and my statement true." 

" It was most remarkable, for we were utter 
strangers." 

On Wednesday evening the doctor came with his 
sermon, proving the statement. 

While standing at the door, taking change, there 
came a crowd of men and women, completely filling 
up the doorway, and we felt an influence, saying to us, 
u Davis." We looked up into the faces of the crowd, 



WASHINGTON. 345 

but saw no one that we identified. After a little, we 
felt it again, saying, "Brother Davis is here." 

"What Davis?" we mentally asked. 

" A. J. Davis," came in answer. 

Turning to Brother Williams, who was assisting us, 
we asked, "Is A. J. Davis in the house?" 

"Yes; don't you know him? He came in the 
crowd a short time ago." 

" Did you take pay of him? " 

"Yes." . 

"Where is he?" we asked at once. 

Williams pointed him out to us, and we went to 
him and handed back the twenty-five cents he had 
paid at the door. He declined receiving it, saying: 
"Give it to your Brother Eames, who was so badly 
burned." 

During the lecture and reading, Brother Davis got 
up and moved from our left to a position in front of 
us, and some thirty feet away. We said: "Brother 
A. J. Davis, the seer, is present to-night. For fifteen 
years, we have been reaching out our hand and soul 
to him, and yet have not been able to reach him. He 
has repelled us — held himself aloof. We have loved 
him as a man and a brother — not worshiping him. 
He has not returned this love; he has said in his soul, 
'This man is not worthy, hence I reject him; not. in 
hate, but for the reason that I do not believe in him; 
hence, I will hold him aloof.' I have met him three 
times — once in Boston, in October, 1858; again in 
New York City, in June, I860, m the street; on the 
third occasion, in Cleveland, Ohio, in September, 1866. 



346 THE TRUTHS OF SriRITUALISM. 

On each of these occasions, we went to him holding 
out both hands, and with our soul full of love for him. 
On each occasion, he took our hand coldly — really 
gave us the cold shoulder, and turned away from us 
saying, by his actions: ' We do not want to make your 
acquaintance ; ' and yet we loved his spirit, and knew 
he did not understand us. At Cleveland, we were in 
the midst of a storm. Our cause was betrayed. The 
traitors were on the platform in force. We met them. 
It was a hard -fought battle. The victory was ours; 
and the traitors who then declared our mediums cheats 
and imposters, are double-dyed traitors to our cause 
to-day. You saw us stop some time ago, and, taking 
out our watch, looking at it, thus: Then, just thirty- 
four minutes ago, this very night, we reached Brother 
A. J. Davis — reached his spirit — and he has, this 
night, at the time referred to, thirty-four minutes ago, 
changed his mind, saying to himself, ' I have not 
understood this man; I am mistaken; I shall tell 
Mary that I am mistaken in him. I am surprised.' 

" There stands with Brother Davis a spirit from the 
Summer Land, in many respects very like him, but is 
not his brother. This spirit informs me that Brother 
Davis knows him as one of the inhabitants of the 
Summer Land. The spirit says to me: 'On the 
morning of December 24, 1871, early in the morning, 
I called, or signaled, Brother Davis to be ready, for 
there is a great work to be given.' Brother Davis 
awoke, and has been waiting for the call to be given; 
it has not been, but will be in June next." 

I then said: " Brother Davis, with a full sense of 



WASHINGTON. 347 

our position, I have spoken of you and myself, in the 
past and present, as I have been directed by the spirit 
seen by me,, with you this evening. I now demand 
of you an answer. This audience the jury, and you 
the witness; my statement to be declared true, or 
false, as you shall testify. Do not spare iio, but let the 
people have the truth. What say you? Is the state- 
ment true, or false?" 

There was a marked commotion and excitement, all 
looking toward Brother Davis, and we confess, and 
deny not, that we felt that we were in a critical posi- 
tion, and were about to be judged by a very intelligent 
and critical audience, on the testimony of one who had 
not believed on us. There was a moment, and but a 
moment, of delay in the answer; then Brother Davis 
said: 

''Yes; it is true; Brother Wilson is right. I have 
held him at a distance, keeping myself aloof from 
him, and just about the time he named the change 
took place, I moved. I saw him in a different light, 
and resolved to tell Mary of the change. Brother 
Wilson has reached me this evening, and I cordially 
acknowledge the fact. I fully recognize the being — a 
spirit, or one of the inhabitants of what I call the 
Summer Land. I know him well. I did receive a 
call, or notice, to be ready, on the morning of the 24th 
of December last, but have not heard anything more 
from that time to this. But my mind is changed. I 
see my brother in another light; and, Brother Wilson, 
I will report you to Mary, as I now know you and see 
you." 



348 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

After this event, the excitement with the audience 
was intense. When the meeting closed, Brother Davis 
and I shook hands over the past, each promising to 
tell his mate and companion how they saw each 
other. 

Brother McEwen came forward, extending the hand 
of a true man, and took us to his home, where we 
were made welcome by his companion and their 
children. 

Wednesday, February 7. "All mind reading!" 
exclaimed a voice, on the conclusion of our remarks 
to Brother Davis. 

Turning to Mr. Mason, of Missouri, we 'said: " Sir, 
your memory of facts and dates are good?" 

"Yes, sir." 

" Yery well ; let us now decide this matter of mind- 
reading. Will you tell this audience what took place 
with you the year you were twenty, in August and 
September, dating from the 10th of August to the 
25th of September?" 

After a few moments' reflection, Mr. Mason replied: 

" I do not remember of any remarkable event occur- 
ring to me at the time you refer to. On reflection, I 
cannot tell you anything." 

" Well, sir, we will tell you what took place." 

We then related a remarkable fact, giving a full 
description of persons, incidents, and cause, and asked, 
" Is it true, or false?" 

"Yes, sir, it is true; literally true." 

" Where is your mind-reading? " 

"If was not my mind, sir," replied Mr. Mason. 



WASHINGTON. • 349 

"No, sir; we are well aware of that; we received 
the fact from a spirit," which we fully described, and 
who was as fully identified. 

Turning to a German, we said: " There is with you 
a spirit; he has on a peculiar uniform: on his right 
shoulder hangs, or rests, an eagle, like the eagle worn 
by a colonel of the American Army. He pictures to 
me a foreign scene. [We fully described it.] The 
death of this man was a violent one ; we hold that he 
was drowned. What do you know of these facts?" 

" Nothing, sir, whatever." 

After questioning him a little further, we became 
satisfied that he knew nothing of the matter; and yet, 
the spirit insisted that his statement was correct. 
Giving a name, again our German subject failed to 
sustain us, and there was an exhibition of satisfaction 
at our seeming defeat. These statements and facts 
occurred on the evening of Tuesday, the 6th. On the 
evening of the 7th, our German subject sent us word, 
by several parties, that the statement was literally 
true in date, the eagle, the uniform, the property, the 
death by drowning — in every fact true. 

We found on our desk a book, "Junius Unmasked; 
or, Thomas Paine, the Author of the Letters of 
Junius, and of the Declaration of Independence. 
Washington, D. C. : John Gray & Co., Publishers. 
1872." Accompanying the book was a note: 

" E. Y. Wilson, Esq. — Dear Sir: It is said that, 
before this book was published, you publicly prophe- 
sied, or stated, that Thomas Paine was the author of 



350 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

1 The Junius Letters,' as well as ' The Declaration of 
Independence. ' Will you be kind enough to state, 
before jour audience, the facts in this matter? 
u Truly, your friend, 



We answered: In 1859, on the second Sunday in 
December, in Melodeon Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, before 
full three hundred people, we stated, under influence: 
"I, Thomas Paine, declare to this audience, and 
acknowledge the authorship of ' The Junius Letters,' 
and I drew the first draft of the ' Declaration of Inde- 
pendence.' " Again, in March, 1865, in Metropolitan 
Hall, it was declared; also, in 1867, in Cincinnati. 

In the spring of 1862, on the evening of the third 
Sunday in May, we again spoke the fact in Chicago, 
Illinois. 

In September, 1862, while standing in the office of 
Judge James H. Knowlton, in Chicago, we took from 
a shelf of books " Junius Letters," and " Thomas 
Paine's Age of Peason." Looking at them, we spoke 
to ourself, as if answering a question, "Yes; two 
great mental efforts — great works, indeed; and by 
the same mind. Thomas Paine was the author of 
each ! " 

" What is that? What did you say, Wilson? that the 
authors of these two books are one and the same, and 
his name Thomas Paine, sir? What are your reasons 
for this statement; have you read and carefully com- 
pared these books — the k Works of Thomas Paine,' 
and 'Junius '?" 



WASHINGTON. 351 

" No, sir; but Mr. Paine says he is the author; and 
that, ere ten years have passed away, the positive 
proof shall be given to the world. Will you lend me 
these books ? " 

"Yes; and any other works in -my library. Are 
you going to write up the matter? " 

" No, sir; I am not capable of the task; but it will 
be done!" 

For a moment the Judge reflected, then looking up, 
said: 

" Wilson, I have often remarked the similarity of 
ideas, and style of writing, and, some time ago, came 
to the conclusion yon have just now uttered. I 
believe you are right." 

In 1869, on the 4th of July, at Algonquin, Illinois, 
under influence, speaking on the subject, " Who, and 
what, am I ? " and " My work in the body, and as a 
spirit," the spirit again stated: u I wrote ' The Crisis,' 
'The Age of Reason,' 'Junius Letters,' and, now that 
the overthrow of African slavery hath been accom- 
plished, I turn my attention, as an agitator, to the 
Old World. And now, let the skeptic take note. We 
shall at once move upon Rome and France — the 
strongholds of religious and political despotism. 
Both powers must fall. And on the 1st of January, 
1872, the power of France shall be broken; jSTapoleon 
III. without a throne, and the Pope a prisoner in the 
Vatican. England and the United States shall shake 
hands in friendship over the Alabama claims; England 
will bluster, and threaten to go behind her bond and 
pledge; the United States will ^ot retreat or abate, 



352 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

but will stand firm by her claim. Judgment will be 
rendered. Will England abide by tlie judgment? I 
doubt it, but trust she will. I, Thomas Paine, pro- 
phetically declare these things." 

We have here written out more fully the details of 
the prophecy than we declared then in Washington. 

We now declare to our readers that, after a careful 
examination, and critical reading, of "Junius Un- 
masked," we feel that it amounts to a demonstration 
upon psychometrical principles. The soul of " Junius" 
is compared and measured with the soul of Thomas 
Paine; and in every conceivable point, wherever we 
have any record, they are found alike. In no partic- 
ular do they disagree. There is no theft of language 
or ideas, but both are the genuine effusions of the 
soul, in every particular alike. Full three hundred 
parallels are given — not of language alone, which 
might have been stolen, but of opinion, style, char- 
acter, composition, throughout the whole realm of 
politics, religion, metaphysics, together with special 
and private opinions, peculiar to the two. 

We hold that, so far as the " Declaration of Inde- 
pendence " may be concerned, it is forever settled (at 
least, in our opinion), that the genius of Thomas 
Paine's inspiration gave it to the world. For a truth, 
we feel that "Junius Unmasked " is a work of merit, 
and adds one more proof of the good there is in Spir- 
itualism, and that the immortal spirit of the earthly 
Thomas Paine has kept his promise to us, proving his 
power to control our mind. Our prophecy has been 
sustained. The slave power is broken, and the slave 



WASHINGTON. 353 

is a free man ; " Junius " is unmasked, Thomas Paine 
the author; Austria has been subdued, and the unity 
of Germany established; France is a conquered 
nation, and JNapoleon III. is without a throne, and 
Pio Nino virtually a prisoner in the Vatican, with his 
political power gone. Will England stand by her 
treaty, or will she back down? 

" And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the 
prophets." 

" I am he that liveth, and was dead ; and, behold, I 
am alive fore verm ore. Amen." 

"To another, the gift of prophecy; to another, dis- 
cerning of spirits." 

" Should not a people seek unto their God for the 
living to the dead ; to the law and the testimony ? and 
if they speak not according to this word, it is because 
there is no light in them." 

And we, the Spiritualists, believe not, but know 
that we are immortal. 



CHAPTEE L. 

We leave Washington — Wilmington, Del. — A Night in Phila- 
delphia—New York City — Troy, N. Y. 

OUR EASTERN TOUR. 

On our second visit to York, Penn., 1872, gave two 
lectures to crowded houses, full seven hundred or more 
present, our lecture commanded the most marked at- 
tention. We gave many very fine tests. 

To a young man: "There is with you a spirit, in a 
captain's uniform," fully describing him. " He was 
your personal friend, and was killed at Gettysburg, on 
the 3d of July, 1863. He calls you Lieutenant — ! — , 
and manifests marked friendship for you. What are 
the facts, sir?" 

"They are correct in every particular, sir." 

To a lady we said : " We see you in trouble. You 
took a stand 'five years ago, from which you have not 
revived. This stand affects your whole life, and that 
of others. Your mother and sister sustain you, as 
well as other friends. The spirit of your little girl 
gives me this." This was a remarkable case, all the 
parties being present, and was fully appreciated. 

To a man who sat near us, we said: "Sir,, you said 
on entering this meeting, ' You could overthrow our 
position completely;' thirty minutes afterwards you 
said; ' I cannot do it, the verdict is his.' Are we right?" 

"Yes, sir." 

(354) 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 355 

Thus the work goes on. We spent the 10th, 11th, 
and 12th in Baltimore — our home being at the Man- 
sion House. 

We spoke in Wilmington, Del., to good audiences, 
giving many fine tests, on the evenings of Tuesday and 
Wednesday, February 13th and 14th. Among the 
tests we gave are the following: 

A boy came forward, was described, gave time w T hen 
he was drowned, and described the place — fully iden- 
tified. 

A woman who died two years ago, July, 1871, aged 
30 years. This was a fine test given to a man and 
woman who readily identified the fact. Then came the 
third test — the sister of a man — gave her age, time of 
death — all the particulars. 

Next came the old sweetheart and spoke of the past, 
giving such perfect history of by-gone days, that iden- 
tity was full and complete. 

Turning to a man by whom stood the wife of former 
years, who gave a pathetic history of her sorrows and 
afflictions, claiming that death was a release to her. 

To Dr. C. A. Kanney, a Scotchman, came an old 
aunt in all the character of Scottish women, manifest- 
ing her former liking for her bairn. 

The Spiritualists of Wilmington are doing a good 
work, and are getting along finely under the manage- 
ment- of our friend S. D. Forbes and his very excellent 
lady, assisted by Bros. Fogg, Way, Smith and others. 
The ladies are earnest workers here, helping on our 
cause with might and main. 

Thursday, February 15th, we reached the City of 



356 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Brotherly Love, at 10 o'clock a. m. Called on Dr. 
Child; found him very unwell, indeed, and we fear 
that he is ticketed for many days confinement. We 
gave a seance at night to a large audience, and gave 
many fine tests. And at the close of our meeting, re- 
ceived the congratulations of many who were present. 
We met Bro. Thomas Gales Forster. He is looking 
fresh, hale and hearty, and is good for many more 
campaigns. We went direct from the desk to the cars, 
and away on the rail for New York City, arriving in 
the early morning of February 16th. We leave ~New 
York City for Troy, at 10 : 30 a. m., on fast train. We 
like the fast train, there is something like God, in 
flying through the country at 2:40. How we like 
swift thoughts, fast horses, quick-witted people, and a 
swift ride on the cars. We once rode sixty-two miles 
in sixty-one minutes, on the Michigan Central Rail- 
road. We cheered the iron horse, the engineer, and 
everything around us. In the midst of our exulta- 
tion some one touched us on the shoulder. Turning 
onr head and looking behind us, we saw an elderly man 
and woman in the seat next to us. They were alarmed 
and exhibited great fear. 

" What do you want? " we asked. 

" Arn't you afeared ? " asked the old lady. 

"Afraid, by no means; and instead of fear, I am 
perfectly delighted! O! how I should like to ride on 
forever, straight ahead, into the very arcana of God's 
Holy Kingdom." 

"Oh! oh! what a man. I say, Mr., are you a 
Christian?" 



OUR EASTERN TOUR. 357 

"Am I what?" 

"Are ye a Christian? Have you got 'ligion? " 

" No, I am not a Christian ; nor have I got 'ligion, 
nor any other cutaneous difficulty." 

"I don't mean measles, nor the itch. I asked a 
proper question. Have you got religion?" 

"No! no! ! no! ! !" we shouted. 

"Well, Mr.," said she, " you will land in hell! " 

"At this speed, Madam, we will make the fire ny and 
give the imps a scare as we go in." 

Too-o-o-oo-oo-o-ooo! shrieked the engine whistle, 
and we were at a stand still on a side track, waiting 
for the western train to pass us. We made the run 
from New York City to Albany, a distance of one hun- 
dred and twenty-nine miles, in four hours and fifteen 
minutes, or at a speed of thirty miles an hour, reach- 
ing Troy at 4:15 p. m. We found comfortable quarters 
at the Troy House. TVe gave a seance at Lyceum 
Hall, on Third street, to one hundred and ten persons, 
giving fifty-one tests, of which forty-seven were fully 
identified, and may be of interest to our readers. 

To a lady: " Madam, there is with you a spirit, once 
a woman in this earth-life;" fully describing her. " She 
calls you Nellie, and was your tried friend and school- 
mate, Rosa." 

A spirit gave Bro. Starbuck a statement which Was 
not identified. After a little we called Bro. Starbuck 
to us and in a whisper related a fact — history to him 
which fully identified every feature of the communi- 
cation. 

To a man we gave his very thoughts, word for word, 



358 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

just as he thought and said to himself of us, the cause 
and its effects, on man. 

We left Troy at 10 o'clock p. m., via West Troy, for 
Albany, at which place we found ourselves nicely 
stowed away in a sleeping car at 11 :30, and ten minutes 
later we were under way for Watertown, Jefferson 
county, IS". Y. 

The Spiritualists of Troy are in a progressive con- 
dition, occupying a good hall, and are being ministered 
to by Bro. J. M. Peebles, who, we believe, has been 
engaged for six months, commencing April 1st. 



CHAPTER LI. 

Detroit, Mich. — Gen. John E. S war tze — Governor Crapo — The 
Soldier — At Nunica — Laura, the Friend of Mrs. P. — The 
Sailor — Mike Fanning — This is My Son William — The 
Wife-Meetings — It is Father and My First Wife — Father, we 
afe not Dead — Mary Pearsall — Farewell. 

DETROIT, MICHIGAN. 

Here we are, dear readers, in the old city of Detroit. 
After a ride of 284 miles at lightning speed, on the 
fast train of the Michigan Central Railroad, occupying 
eight and a half hours, including stoppages, eleven in 
number, averaging five minutes at the very least, 



DETROIT. 359 

leaving seven and a half hours actual traveling time, 
making about thirty-eight miles an hour. Only think 
of a ball weighing seventy-five tons, flying through 
the air at the rate of thirty-eight miles an hour, and 
you will have some idea of our condition, sitting in 
the splendid car of this superior railroad. The motion 
was easy and the ride a pleasant one. There was a 
.double acting motion in the car that we never felt 
before — it was a horizontal and perpendicular tremble 
combined. We felt it in every nerve, and there was a 
language in it, not to be misunderstood. It said, " I 
am a fast thing — Dexter is nowhere compared with 
me. Be not afraid, for if my driver knows his business 
and holds me well in hand, I will carry you safely to 
your destination at the rate of one thirty-six," and we 
resignedly put ourself into the hands of the railroad 
agent, and sped on our way to entertain u a nice 
society," for five Sundays. 

Well, at 8 o'clock we found ourself in Detroit — 
eight hours and thirty minutes from Chicago. Twenty- 
six years ago this very fall, we made this same journey 
from Detroit to Chicago on loot, and were ten days in 
accomplishing it. Detroit was then the largest city. 
We were then unknown to the world, a day laborer, 
and engaged as a hostler in the old New York House, 
situated on Lake street, North side, between La 
Salle and Wells streets. Times have changed since 
then, dear readers; we are older now, yet still living, 
moving much faster, for we are nearer God to-day, 
than twenty- six years ago, and the nearer we approach 
to Him, the faster we go and the wiser we become. 



360 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

We feel a conservative element in Detroit, not felt 
in Chicago or St Louis. Spiritualism is more organic 
here than in Chicago, and we were greeted on Sunday 
morning with a good house, and in the evening, the 
house was full, and our meeting was a great success. 
We gave tests that were at once recognized. 

First. Adgt. General John E. Swartze came, gave 
his name and was fully identified from description of 
his person. 

Second. A child, a little girl, came and stood by a 
relative, and was identified. 

Third. Governor Crapo came, presented himself, 
and we described him so minutely that the audience 
said this is our late Governor Crapo. 

Fourth. A soldier came and stood by a man. We 
described him carefully, and the man informed us and 
others that it was correct in every particular, and this 
stranger was so deeply interested, that he followed us 
to our home, conversing on the soul's future. We 
gave four readings of character to entire strangers, 
and they testified to their correctness. 



OUR ENGAGEMENT IN MICHIGAN. 

On Thursday, October 7th, at ISTunica, after lecture, 
we went home with Brother Spencer, Sister Pearsall 
accompanying us. After a little our influences came, 
when the following interesting facts were given. Fi rst, 
by Mrs. P., we saw a beautiful girl standing, who had 
been in the Spirit World many years — full twenty. 
We described her carefully and gave the name of Laura, 



MICHIGAN. 361 

Mrs P. was much surprised; identified the spirit as 
an old friend and schoolmate of her girlhood days, and 
the daughter of a Methodist Minister. This was an 
interesting test, and the spirit held in her hand an 
exquisite little bouquet of beautiful flowers from the 
garden of the Summer Land, and holding them out to 
Sister P., spoke in beautiful language of by-gone days 
and of future reunions in the Summer Land. 

O! this blessed immortality! This actual knowledge 
of our immortality, how grand the thought that we 
shall live forever, and all the old relations and inci- 
dents of our earth-life talked over in our spirit homes. 

We turned to Mr. Spencer, and said: There stands by 
you a sailor, fully describing him. His arms are bare, 
and on the right one there is tattoed a brig in full sail 
on a rough sea; under it we see the letters " H. C. M., 
1849." This spirit says that he sailed with you on a 
brig in 1854, and that in the fall of the year, you had 
the fore topsail yard carried away, precipitating two 
men to the deck, or one of them to the deck and one 
into the water. 

Mr. Spencer answered, a I remember the brig and 
the accident of carrying away the topsail yard, and the 
fall of the two men. The name of the brig was the 
Black Warrior. I have a faint recollection of this man 
you have described." 

Soon after this there came a spirit and gave his 
name as Mike Fanning, stating, " I lived with Mr. 
Spencer several years ago, and worked for him." We 
then fully described the spirit. This spirit told how 
he died, and when; all of which proved true. 



362 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Surely, this answers the question of Job, " If a man 
die, shall he live again? " And settles the skepticism 
of Solomon, for now we know where the spirit of man 
goes to — the land is discovered and we know the way 
there, too, and all is well. 

We lectured at night in a school house, to an atten- 
tive and large audience. While lecturing there came 
into the room an old man who had once lived in the 
neighborhood, now an inhabitant of the Spirit World. 
We described him, but no one responded. The spirit 
turned to us and said, " Never mind, Mr. Medium, we 
will demonstrate who we are before you leave." Sol- 
diers came also — none of them identified. We were 
assured by them that they would be. Mr. Horace 
Scott was then called for delineation of character, after 
which the audience conceded that it was correct. 

Friday, October 8th, was a clear, fresh morning — 
all nature full of joy; the autumn hue of the leaves 
spoke joyously, and praised God in beautiful colors as 
they left the parent stem and fell to the ground. We 
lectured at night to a full house, during which several 
* spirits came and identified themselves and their rela- 
' tives. 

The old man of the night before came and went to 
the rear of the room, placed his hands on a large man's 
head, saying, " This is my son William," after which 
we again described him. The spirit then said, u yet a 
little longer, William, and I will take with me my 
earth companion, now low and prostrated in your 
home. You are blessed, my son, in the care rendered 
her." 



MICHIGAN. 363 

Then came another, a woman, full of joy and truth. 
She was beautiful beyond language to describe — her 
soul full of joy. Came to the man, William, by whom 
the father stood, enveloping him in a mantle of light, 
and we heard her say: 

" Husband, mine, I greet thee from the Summer 
Land, from my beautiful home beyond the rolling 
river, and bless thee for thy kindness and love; bless 
you in your new joy, with your young companion. 
May your house be a house of love, full of peace. 
Wait a little, and mother will come from you to us," 
and then this spirit woman cast her light upon a sister 
of hers, Mrs. Charles Hunter, after which we gave a 
minute description of both the man and woman, asking, 

" Sir, do you identify these spirits?" 

The strong man, in a subdued voice, replied: 

"It is father and my first wife ; " and there came 
from the audience that long, intensified, cautiously 
expressed breath of relief, that spoke louder than 
words, "Thank God, it is true." 

There was no noisy demonstration. It was too 
sacred. We felt and knew that the angels were present 
with us, and heaven was close at hand. 

Second. There came tw r o soldiers; those that came 
last night. This time they came in full uniform — 
the sergeants of their company, and full of joy. They 
stood by the side of their earth father, saying: 

" Father, we are not dead, but living and full of joy. 
Arza and William are with you, loving you as of old. 
Blessings we will shower around you, and your old 
age will fill with joy. Bless you, father and mother." 



364 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

And the father and mother wept. 

We then described the two sergeants carefully, and 
the people said, " We knew them." 

Third. There came a beautiful girl, the spirit of 
Mary Pearsall. We identified her mother, gave her 
age when she left the form, and the time she has been 
there. 

This communication was one of those thrilling, sen- 
sation facts, that moves human nature into the 
acceptance of principles. 

Mary, the spirit, bade us say to her mother, as near 
as we can recollect: 

"Mother, mine, the merry laugh of the little child, 
the patter of little feet, are no longer heard along the 
royal walks of my heavenly home. The memory of 
the seven bright summers I stayed with you in your 
earth home, are bright and fresh in my youthful mind. 
Now the " thoughts of a woman fill my soul, for the 
child of the past, the loved of former days, now bud- 
ding into womanhood, greets you with love from her 
home divine. Carry to the dear ones in the old home, 
sweet memories and love from me, for my soul goes 
forth to them in the fullness of its heaven cultured 
nature, this evening, and the angel, once the loving 
little child, now the fully developed woman from the 
spheres of angel life, thy child and daughter, yet re- 
members the loved ones of the old earth home — 
mother, father, sister mine, blessings gather around 
you, making your earth life true and beautiful, and by 
and by, reunited in the Summer Land, our joy will be 
the joy of angels; and now, farewell — not forever, 



MICHIGAN. 365 

but for a little while farewell, f-a-r-e-w-e-1-1," came 
floating back from her angel home, like the last ca- 
dence of the seolian lyre, moved by the impulse of the 
retreating air, and Mary had gone home; and after 
which from the people came the long breath of satis- 
faction, the unspoken wish that it may be true, and 
then the call upon Mrs. Pearsall: 

"Madam, is this true? Have you lost a daughter? 
Was her name Mary? and do the dates agree with 
your knowledge of the girl?" 

Then the mother stood forth, full of womanly joy 
and love, and in a clear, ringing voice, said: 

"Men and women, it is true — my child, my Mary, 
and the holy memories of her baby days, the seven 
bright summers she was with us in our earth home. 
I came many miles for this test, and thank God, I 
have it." And the people were full of the spirit of 
heaven. 

There came a little boy standing by Dr. Worden, 
whom we fully described. He called his name Willie. 
Dr. W. affirmed that it was correct in every feature. 



CHAPTEE LII. 

Away on the Rail — Arrive at Detroit — A Glorious Fresh Morn- 
ing — From the Immortal Thomas Paine — God Save Great 
Thomas Paine — The Vision — The Treasure. 

OUR ENGAGEMENTS IN MICHIGAN. 

Saturday, October 9th. Up before the dawn of day, 
and away for Detroit, on the train drawn by the iron 
horse, breathing fire, shrieking, thundering along the 
plain. At Berlin, our gentle Sister Slade, who has 
been lecturing in that vicinity, came on to the cars, 
bound for Grand Bapids, to attend their Quarterly 
Conference. Greeting passed between us — words of 
cheer for absent friends, a thought for the cause we 
love so well, and then the pleasant good-bye, and we 
parted. 

On we went, reaching Detroit at 5 :30 p. m., riding 
180 miles, and at the post office found twenty letters 
demanding our attention. 

Sunday, October 10th. Glorious, fresh and fair, 
this beautiful autumn morning! Lectured at 10:45 a. 
m. in Carter Hall. Our subject was, " The rich man 
and the unjust steward. The rich man and the beg- 
gar." — Luke 16th. The singing was good, the people 
orderly, the attention marked, and we felt that the 
angel of inspiration was very near unto us. No tests 
were given at the morning lecture. 

Lectured again at 7:45 p. m., to a large audience. 
(366) 



MICHIGAN. 367 

Our discourse was from the immortal soul of Thos. 
Paine, of whom Washington wrote: 

" Your presence may remind Congress of your past 
services to this country, and if it is within my power 
to impress them, command my best exertions with 
freedom, as they will be rendered cheerfully by one 
who entertains a lively sense of the importance of your 
works," and on this occasion, the influence of the 
sacred spirit of our illustrious patriot commanded the 
attention and respect of the large and intelligent 
assembly present — the sainted patriot, of whom the 
Republicans and Reformers of England in 1792 looked 
upon- as the true "Apostle of Freedom." They circu- 
lated a song to his praise, commencing: 

"God save Great Thomas Paine! 
His rights of man proclaim, 

From pole to pole." 

(See Preface of Catham's Life of Paine.) 
He spoke of his feelings on entering spirit life, of 
his interview with his mother; of his views of the 
spirit life; of its floral kingdom, mountains, rivers, 
lakes, homes, and the employments of the angels; of 
the interest he takes in the affairs of our world, and 
especially of our great Republic, of which he justly 
prides himself, as being one of its founders. He then 
went into a careful review of the struggle for the 
emancipation of the slave, referring to historical names 
and dates, over whom and in which, the spirit world 
held control and directed the affairs of state. 



CHAPTEE LIII. 

Call on Capt. "Ward— Three Men Think — Go to Lyons, Mich. — 
Mrs. Holmes — The Trial — The Drowned Boy — Lieut. H.— 
Mrs. L. — I Lost a Sister — The Stranger — The Man's Name 
was Gardner, 

OUR ENGAGEMENT IN MICHIGAN. 

Monday, October 11th. A cool, fair morning — all 
is well. Called on Capt. E. B. Ward in the afternoon, 
had a very pleasant conversation. We gave a seance 
at night in Carter's Hall — one hundred and thirty 
present. Gave many fine tests, dates and readings of 
character. These were received with marked approval, 
among them the following, which we trust will inter- 
est our readers: 

First. We stated, these three men, (pointing them 
them out) have felt, thought and reflected thus: No. 
1 has followed our remarks closely, approving of 
certain points, and disapproving of others. No. 2 has 
tried his best to affect us with his will-power, thus 
seeking to experiment at our expense. No. 3 has been 
listless, paying but little attention to what was said 
or taking place about him. We then called on them 
to affirm or deny our statements. They separately 
affirmed. 

Tuesday, October 12th. Left Detroit for Lyons, 
Michigan, at 10 a. m. Arrived at Lyons at 4 p. m. 
Went to the quiet home of Dr. J. E. Jewett. Lec- 

(368) 



MICHIGAN. 369 

tured at night to ninety people. Gave a reading to Mrs. 
Holmes, of Iowa, giving three incidents of her life, 
one at ten years of age, and one at nineteen. " Seven 
years ago, you passed through a trial, sharp and severe. 
There is with you a young girl, sixteen years of age, 
who was a schoolmate of yours, and has been in the 
spirit life many years." 

Then there came and stood by her a boy, who was 
drowned when eleven years old, and would be now, 
over twenty-two years of age, all of which was true. 

Wednesday, October 13th. Lectured at night to a 
good audience on' " The effect of revival meetings and 
spiritual circles." 

At the conclusion we called the attention of the 
audience to the fact that it had been reported that 
there was a collusion between us and the lady from 
Iowa. We now proposed to the audience to call out 
a man and woman for delineation and tests. 

After a little, Lieutenant Hitchcock was called out 
by the gentleman, and he came forward. Mrs. Lewis 
was put forward by the ladies for reading. We first 
read Lieutenant H., carefully giving the temperament, 
traits of character, as well as habits of life. 

u At nineteen years of age, you are in imminent 
danger. There is a rush or fall of ponderable matter. 
There is a rush of feet — commotion; you escape. At 
the age of twenty- three, you change, take upon you 
new associations, affecting you socially, locally and 
pecuniarily. It is an era in your life. Five years ago 
you are surrounded by enemies, are in trouble, and 
are aroused by them to excitement. There is with you 
24 



370 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

a First Lieutenant (describing him). This Lieutenant 
tells me of trouble you had with your Colonel, and 
other incidents of your life. There is with you the 
spirit of a woman. She has been in the spirit world 
a long time. Passed away very young. She is your 
sister." We then described his father and mother, 
giving many fine antecedents in their lives. The 
friends and relatives of Lieutenant H. affirmed that the 
reading was correct. He said of the incidents : 

" The first I do not recognize as marking my life. 
I joined the Baptist church, and was nearly killed by 
a run- away team. At twenty- three, nothing impor- 
tant, save that I married and began life then. Seven 
years ago, I knew several Lieutenants, who would 
answer your description. I know of nothing marked 
live years ago that I can identify." 

" What about your arrest and being taken to Detroit, 
five years ago?" said a voice from the audience. 

" Oh, yes," said the Lieutenant. " And what about 
the difficulty referred to in the communication of the 
spirit, Lieutenant?" said another voice. 

"Well, there was some trouble. 

"And about the spirit sister? " he asked. 

"Yes, I lost a sister, the only sister I ever lost. 
She died very young." 

Mrs. L. was then read, after touching her hand. We 
saw her grandfather, who referred to property belong- 
ing to her, but which she had never received. We 
then said: 

" There is with you the spirit of a young woman, 
who was your young friend, and you loved her as a 



MICHIGAN. 371 

sister. She died early in womanhood; died in child- 
birth. She knew you well." 

We read many incidents in her life, all of which on 
careful reflection were fully identified, and the people 
were very much surprised, and the scandal mongers 
w T ere confounded. After lecture we took the cars for 
St. Johns, arriving at 1 o'clock. 

Thursday, October 14th. A cloudy, wet morning. 
Delivered a funeral discourse over the remains of 
Brother Elisha Abbott, who left his earth form at 
midnight on the 11th, at 11 o'clock a. m., and at forty- 
five minutes past twelve, we laid his inanimate form 
in the grave, and we saw his spirit take leave for a 
little season of the dear friends in the earth form. 
We know he is not dead. 

Returning at 4 p. m., we found our friends waiting 
for us. Lectured at 7 :30 p. m. This lecture was full 
of sharp points, and made a deep impression. At 
the conclusion we gave the following tests : 

First. To a stranger, we said: " You are from a 
distance. Came many miles to hear our lecture. The 
young lady at your side is your daughter. You have 
never seen us. Twenty-one years ago there was a 
great change socially and locally with you and yours. 
We speak the name, Mary Rogers." 

The man answered: 

" I am an entire stranger to the speaker, never saw 
him before. I am from a distance, living in Maple 
Rapids. This is my daughter by my side. I came to 
hear these lectures. My name is Rogers. This is 
very strange." 



372 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Second. To a man in the centre of the hall, we 
said (pointing him out from the desk), "Thirteen, 
twelve, and eleven years ago, you were imposed upon 
by two men (describing them minutely). Financially 
you suffered at their hands, the taller one of the two 
being the greater rascal." 

"That's so," said the man. 

The man's name was Gardner, to whom this com- 
munication was given. 

Third. We turned to ladies, sitting on our right, 
and said: 

" There is the spirit of a young man with you. He 
was a soldier; died in the service of his country, 
The first lady is his aunt, the second one is his mother." 

This proved true. 

We gave Dr. Jewett several dates and incidents of 
the past, but from the fact of our making our home 
with him, they were of no importance as marked tests. 
Thus closed a very important evening's work. Surely 
we are in the midst of a wonderful era. Come, let us 
investigate this phenomenal life. 

Friday, October 15th. A fine, cold morning ; ground 
white with frost. "Winter is just over the border, and 
will soon be with us. May we be prepared, both in 
body and soul for the storms of nature, and all will 
be well. 

Gave a seance at 2 :45 p. m. to one hundred souls, 
and many fine tests were given, among which are the 
following: 

To Mrs. K., we spoke of her thoughts, social condi- 
tion, giving incidents in her life. All proved correct. 



MICHIGAN. 373 

Second. Mrs. H. Bead her mental condition very 
carefully. 

Third. Saw by a man (Mr. R.) his wife, a spirit, 
fully identified. 

Fourth. A boy from spirit life, told when and where 
he was drowned, and his age. This was a remarkable 
test and proved correct in every particular, and was 
identified by full a score of people. 

Fifth. Mr. S., a skeptic, called up by the audience 
for a test character. He was an entire stranger to us. 
We first touched the end of his fingers, then walked 
from him some ten feet, and with our back toward 
him, gave a careful reading of his physical and mental 
manhood, entering into minutia. We then drew a 
word picture of his father and mother, giving a like- 
ness to each, after which, we said : 

" We now come to an incident he knows nothing 
of personally, but from tradition and hearsay. It 
belongs to his father's household, and occurred before 
he was born, some two or three months. It is an ante- 
natal condition ; its effect is on his mother, it is in the 
form of great excitement, fear and anxiety, caused by 
great loss, either of life by accident, or loss of property 
and position. You know the history. Twelve years 
ago, financial and social trouble of a marked character; 
seven years ago, sorrow, grief, and mourning; you lost 
a female relative very dear to you," (fully describing 
her.) 

The audience testified to the correct reading of the 
man's character. 

He then said, " This is remarkable. The ante-natal 



374 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

incident is correct, the trouble caused by loss of prop- 
erty and death from accident. The incident of twelve 
years ago is true. The grief and sorrow of seven 
years ago was the loss of my wife, and he has described 
her accurately." 

And the people felt that they were in the presence 
of the Lord. 



CHAPTEK LIT. 

Our Visit to Keokuk, Iowa— The Test— The Prophecy — Its 
Fulfillment — Marion, Iowa — Burlington, Iowa — Madison — 
Dallas City, 111.— The $4 Brought Through the Air. 

OUR WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS. 

Friday, May 10th, 1872, we reached Keokuk, Iowa, 
to fill an engagement for three lectures. Keokuk, the 
Gate City, is an important railroad point, as well as 
steamboat landing, situated on the Mississippi river, 
about two hundred miles south of west from Chicago, 
and forty-three miles by railroad below Burlington. 
It is a fine town, full of enterprise and progress. We 
like Keokuk, and predict a great future for this fair 
city of the West. 

We spoke to fair audiences while there, giving many 
fine tests, of which the following are a sample of all: 



WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS. 375 

First. The spirit of a man and little girl came to 
a lady, and was fully described and identified. 

Second. A sister came to her brother, speak- 
ing words of cheer from her home in the Summer 
Land. The sister being fully described, was at once 
identified. 

Third. This test we gave was not identified, at 
which the skeptical portion of our audience laughed; 
but there was never a laugh when startling tests were 
given. Is it not strange that Christians will preach a 
future existence, and sneer at any testimony pointing 
to a future life — not coming from the pulpit of the 
church of their Christ and him crucified? 

Fourth. The fourth test was to Mr. B. " Sir, six- 
teen years ago we find you sinking as if into cold 
water or snow. You are suffocating as from snow, or 
your head being held in snow and water, and it is in 
the winter time." 

The answer was — " It is true, sir, to the letter, in 
date and cause." 

Fifth. This test came to Judge M. " Sir, we see 
a man approach you (fully describing him); you will 
be called upon in a very short time to defend a case. 
The parties are a man, woman and child; an estate 
will be at stake. This suit will soon be in hand, and 
down for trial in September." 

Judge M. replied: " I know of such a suit soon to 
come off, and expect to be retained by the parties." 

Subsequently the Judge met us and said: " Friend 
W., your prophecy has come to pass since you made 
it. A man, answering to your description, called on 



376 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

us and put the very suit you named into my hands, 
and I am going to take hold of it." 

Friday, May 17th, we were preparing for our Whea- 
ton Convention to be held over Sunday, the 19th. 

Monday, May 20th. Our Convention is over, and 
has been a grand success, and well reported by our 
Secretary, Bro. Howard, and we shall, in all human 
probability, convene our association in St. Charles, 
next. 

At Marion, Iowa, May 27th, we concluded a three 
days' meeting. It is a beautiful inland town. We 
had good audiences, gave many fine tests, and found 
many warm friends. There are but few here who 
declare themselves to be Spiritualists. There are many 
very liberal Christians (?) here, and have a fine church 
and good congregations. Amongst those who are 
workers, we found Mrs. House to be a fine medium, 
with good clairvoyant power. Bros. Mitchell, House, 
Noble, and others, came well up to time as workers 
and helpers. 

May 30th, we spoke in Burlington, Iowa, to a full 
house, giving some fine tests. A few Spiritualists are 
striving to establish a society in this fine western city. 
We spoke three times, but were cut short by change 
of railroad time. We shall yet go to Burlington and 
stir up the Soul-Sleepers one of these days. Bros. 
Forbs, Webster, Giles, and others, are striving to open 
the way for a society and lyeeum. May they succeed. 

Monday, June 2d. We have just closed a course of 
four lectures in Fort Madison, Iowa. This place is on 
the west bank of the Mississippi, twenty-four- miles 



WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS. 377 

above Keokuk, and nineteen miles below Burlington, 
by way of the Burlington and Keokuk railroad, and 
presents to the vision of the traveler one of the love- 
liest places for a home on the banks of the " Great 
Father of Elvers." We found many tried and true 
Spiritualists here — more by far than we expected. 
Bro. Hazen Wilson took the lead and responsibility 
of our coming, as did Bro. Miller, of Keokuk; Judge 
Yezee also helping, as did many others. We 
gave many very fine tests in Fort Madison, and 
especially fine ones to Judge Yezee. Onr work in 
Fort Madison proved a success, creating thought, 
developing truth, and ennobling man. Many of the 
friends accompanied us to the depot, bidding us God 
speed on parting — a pay to us very precious. May 
angels of God continue to minister to our friends in 
Fort Madison. 

Dallas City, 111., June 7th, 8th and 9th, we lectured 
in this little town to full houses. We found the 
interest marked and progressive. The true workers 
in Dallas are Bros. Porter, Weaver, and Asa Moon, 
and their good wives. We had a good time here, 
and gave many tests. Mrs. Weaver possesses fine 
mediumistic powers; is a writing, seeing, and speak- 
ing medium, and yet this woman cannot write a word 
from education. Mrs. Weaver possesses a " spiritual 
gift" that would be very dangerous to the church if 
it could be imparted to its members. At various 
times and in sundry places, money in coin and paper 
in various sums has been brought her by her con- 
trolling spirit — the aggregate amounting to some 



378 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

thirty dollars. There seems to be a peculiarity in this 
money matter; it comes just in the nick of time 
when wanted by the family to meet their necessities. 
The, evidence in their case is so complete that to deny 
it would be to deny our senses. 

While in Dallas, we made the acquaintance of Dr. 
Pekill and lady, of Pontoosock, two miles below 
Dallas City. 

On Sunday evening, the 9th, when closing up the 
accounts current of our meeting, there was due from 
Bro. W. four dollars. Bro. W. saying, " I have not 
the money with me." 

Turning to Dr. Pekill, he asked him to lend him 
the money. 

Dr. Pekill replied : " I have not the money with 
me, but have it at home in my desk, if we could only 
get it." 

Now, the Doctor has a familiar spirit, by the name 
of "Peter," who is one of his helpers. Instantly 
Peter gave the Doctor to understand that he was 
present and would help him out of the matter. The 
Doctor turned to the friends, saying, " Wait a little, 
and we will see what can be done." 

Doctor Pekill. — " Peter, can you get me four dol- 
lars out of my desk in my house in Pontoosock?" 

Peter.—" I will try." 

The Doctor, turning to the friends present, said: 
" Come, let us go into the house." 

All started for the house. We were all at the house 
of Asa Moon. It is a one story frame house, with 
one large front room, a second or rear room, then a 



WESTERN ENGAGEMENTS. 379 

shed or slight building attached for summer work. 
On passing through the shed into the rear room there 
was present Mr. Weaver, Dr. Pekill, Asa Moon, Mrs. 
Moon, her two daughters, and others. Dr. Pekill 
said : " Peter is here." 

Asa Moon saw a small package of paper in the air 
over Dr. Pekill's head. Dr. P. felt it hit the hat brim. 
A lady saw it in the air, falling to the floor. Mr. 
Moon and his daughter saw it on the floor. One of 
the parties present picked it up and found two two- 
dollar bills ; Peter, the spirit, informing Pekill that he 
(the spirit) had been to the Doctor's house, in Pon- 
toosock, and taken the money from his desk, in order 
to loan it to Weaver. Dr. Pekill stated : " I had these 
bills in my desk at home, and if not there when I go 
home to-morrow, then Mr. W., will this money be as 
a loan from me, and return it, and if my two two- 
dollar bills are at home as when I left home, then the 
money is not mine, and Bro. W. will not pay it back 
to me." This statement was made public before a full 
house the same evening 



CHAPTEE LV. 

Spiritualism in Buffalo — Its Condition — The Tests. 
SPIRITUALISM IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. 

We spoke nine Sundays in Buffalo, during Decem- 
ber, 1868, and January, 1869, giving eighteen lectures, 
and spending two hours each Sunday in the Children's 
Lyceum, making our work on each Sunday equal to 
six hours per day. 

We found the Society inharmonious and full of dis- 
cord, poorly attended, and in debt. We left them 
with a crowded house, growing interest, and out of 
debt, but wanting in harmony. 

There was at our first lecture in the city,, but ninety 
persons; at our last, over five hundred. Every seat 
was filled, the platform covered, the standing room all 
occupied, and full five hundred people in a three hun- 
dred hall. 

The first Lyceum we attended had sixty-three chil- 
dren present; the last one, eighty-sevem We formed 
an adult group that was full every Sunday, and there 
were* present many persons to witness the interesting 
exercises of the Lyceum. The Lyceum is very well 
officered, and the children attentive and ; well behaved. 
Many of them giving evidence of fine talent as 
speakers, declaimers and singers. 

Bro. Henry Fitzgerald is eminently qualified for the 
position of conductor, and fills the office with credit 

(380) 



BUFFALO. 381 

to the Lyceum as well as to himself, and he has some 
good helpers in the cause as leaders and guards. In 
fact, the Lyceum is a good one and well managed* 
Spiritualism is alive in Buffalo, and needs but a little 
more harmony to become a grand Society, numbering 
thousands instead of hundreds. They need a first 
class hall, with plenty of room for the children. 

Bro. Fish is to succeed me in ministering to the 
Buffaloans, and may the angels help him in his labors 
with the people. The angels helped us in our labors 
in Buffalo, and through them we were enabled to give 
many fine tests. 

On the evening of Monday, February 1st, we gave 
a seance, of which the Express published the enclosed, 
clipped from its columns : 

First. A spirit calling himself Charles Edwards, 
bartender in a hotel six years ago, stood by Mrs. S. 
and thanked her for her- kind care and attention to 
him. 

Second. Mr. Gibson fully described, came and told 
how he committed suicide some years ago. pointing 
out many he knew in life, saying, " The crime is for- 
given, the offense not forgotten." 

Third. A spirit came who declined to give his 
name, saying: "Describe me, for there are jnany 
here who know me." We described him minutely, 
and the people said, "This is Judge Stevens, some 
time ago our neighbor, and formerly, Mayor of our 
city." 

Fourth. There came and stood by a lady, one call- 
ing her mother. The description was carefully given, 



382 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

and the woman said, weeping at the time, " It is my 
dear son." 

Fifth. A man came, was fully described, and told 
us he was murdered in this city, fourteen years ago, 
and that the man who murdered him was in the hall 
last night, but not present to-night. I do not wish 
him to be brought to trial. I am on his track, and 
he remembers his crime, and this hell of conscience 
is all that any needs here, or hereafter. 

Sixth. Two boys came, hand in hand, and told 
how they were drowned in the river, nine years ago; 
told of their death trials, and leaving words of cheer 
for those they had left behind. 

Seventh. A man, fully described, standing by a 
stranger, showing us how he was killed — when and 
where. 

Eighth. A soldier stood by his old friend — told 
how he was killed — when and where. 

Ninth. A beautiful child came and placed her hand 
on the knees of an old man and called him father; told 
of the time of her death, and of her happy life in the 
spirit world. 

Tenth. A sailor came and stated, " I am Captain 
Wiltsey, and sailed the topsail schooner George W. 
Willis, of Oswego; foundered and sunk in 1836, off 
Madison dock, below Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel 
was raised subsequently and taken into Ashtabula 
harbor. I was found in her cabin, and those who 
raised her took from the desk in her cabin $800 in 
bills." 

Eleventh. There stands by that lady Mrs. S., a 



INCIDENTS, 383 

spirit who shows us the letter J. We then entered 
into a full and minute description of him, and he says: 
" Tell my wife, for me, that she is a foolish woman to 
put up with the abuse and oppression she is enduring 
at present, for the man who married only for money." 

Tvielfth. A sailor, Joe W , came and told of 

many wild pranks he had been in, and gave an account 
of a Bacchanalian row he had been in, in a saloon, with 
many lake captains, in 1840. 

Thirteenth. Captain Walker, of the Great Western 
steamer, was fully described and identified. 

All of the above tests were fully identified. Besides 
these, we gave many readings of character, and located 
over thirty dates, and only one single case unidentified, 
and he was a confirmed Spiritualist. 

Are we not surrounded with a great cloud of wit- 
nesses? Thus God, through his angels, as in the past, 
continues to be our helper. 



CHAPTEE LYI. 

Rochelle, 111. — Elder Miles Grant — Rev. H. S. Weller— His 
Views on Spiritualism. 

INCIDENTS OF OUR LECTURES. ETC. 

On the evenings of August 8th, 9th, and 10th, 1870, 
we gave a course of three lectures in the prosperous 



384 THE TKUTHS OF SPIEITUALISM. 

and progressive little town of Eochelle, Ogle county, 
111., on subjects pertaining to Spiritualism — giving 
also many well denned and identified tests from spirit 
life. Our audiences were good, attention marked, and 
a demand on the part of the people for more spiritual 
food of the same sort. 

Last year Elder Miles Grant visited Rochelle with 
his message of false prophecies and slander of the 
true spirit, for the edification of such as have no souls, 
and "die all over," — during which, he attacked us 
most bitterly. Hearing of his whereabouts, sayings 
and doings, we went for him, and when he heard we 
were coming, like the valorous Stephens, he hurled a 
volley of lies at our shadow — and left for parts 
unknown. 

On reaching JRochelle, we picked the fellow up and 
unveiled his skeleton Theology, making the whole 
Church feel very much as Dr. Newman felt after a 
dose of Bible polygamy at the hands of Elder Pratt. 

On the evenings above mentioned we visited Ro- 
chelle again, and once more unveiled the skeleton. 
On the first evening we challenged the Advents to 
meet us and go to trial before the people. They 
failed to put in an appearance. Of course, the people 
gave us judgment by default on their part. 

On the next Sunday, August 14th, the Eev. S. H. 
Weller, in the Presbyterian church, gave us a benefit. 
He began by saying : " I do not intend to give an 
elaborate statement of this pretentious system of 
modern infidelity. "(?) 

Answer. Why do you touch it at all, Brother Wei- 



INCIDENTS. 385 

ler, if it is only pretentious infidelity, (?) and modern 
at that. It strikes us very forcibly that there is a 
contradiction in your assertion — we shall see. 

PLATFORM. 

First. There is no uniformity in their creeds. 
Their discourses are alike coarse and illogical, and 
they adopt this mode to bring their system into 
notoriety. 

Your first 'position. "No uniformity in their 
creeds " shows your utter and complete ignorance 
of our views and principles. As to creeds, we have 
none. We are a unit on the following points, viz.: 
" God is a spirit, in whom we live and move and have 
our being ;" therefore a part of God — not outside of 
Him as you are. Our God is love intensified, and 
is our friend and father. Your God is love, whose 
creed is revenge and hate. He gets his Ebenezer up, 
and blows down his own house, knocks his minister's 
eyes out, kills little babies, burns temples dedicated 
to his name, and is just now destroying his Cathedral 
at Strasbourg, and lately killed many thousand Amer- 
icans to get rid of one of his own institutions — 
human slavery. 

Second, We hold that every man, woman and 
child is immortal, even down to the fashionable foeti- 
cide, and that angel guardians and nurses are fre- 
quently jn attendance on a mother who has com- 
mitted a high crime against her nature, sustaining 
her weakened constitution, and at the same time hold- 
ing the young life she has sought to destroy near her 
25 



386 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

mortal form, in order to give it strength in its 
spirit-life hereaftar. 

Third. We hold to one God and no more, infinite 
in matter and space — seen in the sunshine, felt in the 
storm, and that He is this side the blue as well as 
beyond it, and "His kingdom is within us," hence 
He is ever with us. Your God is a great big man, 
a creature full of short comings, and has to keep a 
big hell always on hand to make his followers obey 
him. 

Fourth. We hold there is no personal devil, or 
local hell or heaven ; hence, in the future as here, 
there is good and evil side by side ; that we are sub- 
ject to the evil influences as well as the good, and 
that in the future life as in this when the evil man 
desires to reform, the good are on hand to help him, 
while on your side of the question there are but two 
conditions or estates in the future life — hell and 
heaven — from which, and out of which, there can be 
no progression. 

Your second position : 

" Their discourses are alike coarse and illogical, 
and they adopt this mode to bring their system into 
notoriety." 

This sentence contains an argument "what is an 
argument." Brother Weller, do you read the Spirit- 
ual papers, the chaste and beautiful lectures of Sisters 
Hardinge, Doten, Cora L. V. Tappan, Foster, Brittan, 
Peebles, Whiting, Chase, and our late eloquent and 
noble brothers, Henry C. Wright and Jesse B. Fergu- 
son, now immortals, whose lectures have thrilled the 



INCIDENTS. 387 

souls of millions, listening with upturned faces, whose 
lectures, as published in our papers, have fed the 
souls of millions who could not hear them from the 
rostrum ; and are you aware, brother, that your breth- 
ren and yourself, u ministers of the meek and loving 
Jesus," through your coarse and vulgar sermons on 
the conditions of the damned ; your insulting expres- 
sions to Almighty God, such as are commonly used 
in your revival meetings, have disgusted the millions 
and drove them from you ? If not, it is time you 
were told, for of all people in the world, you minis- 
ters of the gospel of Christ are the most coarse and 
vulgar when appealing to people's passions — men 
crying with all of their might, " Come right down 
now, God ! now, God ! ! now, God ! ! ! And crush 
out the wicked ! God, shake the sinners over hell ! 
Oh, God, slay the wicked, hip and thigh.". 

There is refinement and logic which we trust may 
never be found in our " coarse and illogical " lectures. 

" And they adopt this mode to bring their system 
into notoriety." 

Yerily, verily, I say thou art logical beyond thy 
measure, oh, Brother "Weller ! 

" 1 admit the phenomena of Spiritualism." 

Thank you, my reverend brother. Is there not 
uniformity with Spiritualists in this admission, and 
you, a minister of God (?) in this admission — avowed 
that you were wrong a few years ago, when you fully 
denied it. Being wrong in a former judgment, may 
you not be altogether wrong in other conclusions ? 



388 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" As the Spiritualists hold it, the name is false. It 
is, in fact, materialism." 

Brother Weller, do you know what constitutes a 
paradox ? Spiritualism is materialism ; a shadowy 
vapor is a solid substance ; an invisible thing is a 
visible fact ; an unheard sound is a loud noise ; when 
we do see, we don't see ; when in the devil's employ 
we are working for God, and when we are God's 
angels we are the devil's servants. Slightly paradox- 
ical ! Now, my brother, your religion is as thorough 
a materialism as was ever taught. You resurrect the 
old body from the grave, and take it with you into 
heaven. We leave it behind, and enter the future a 
spiritual being, refined and beautiful. You, with all 
of your old filth of body, with broken limb or eyeless 
socket, and festering sore, appear before your God, for 
the old sore existing on your person at the time of 
your death, is as much a part of the man proper as 
the sound arm, and equally entitled to be resurrected. 
We leave all these things behind us, and appear a 
purified spiritual being. 

I am really afraid, my brother, that you are igno- 
rant of spiritual things, or you would never have 
committed yourself to this contradiction, 

"They give God a prominent place in their the- 
ology." 

What ails you, Brother Weller ? We " have no 
uniformity ;" and yet we all give God a prominent 
place in our theology. We " are infidels," giving God 
a prominent place in our teachings. Do you know 
the meaning of the word infidelity ? If you do not, 



INCIDENTS. 389 

we refer yon to "Webster. We believe the Bible, but 
deny your conclusions drawn from the Bible. We 
hold that there is spirit inspiration in the Bible, but 
that it is not plenary inspired — you do, hence we are 
materialistic and infidels. 

" With them, spirit is only matter in the highest 
state of organism." 

Will Brother Weller tell us what spirit is with 
him ? With Presbyterianism % Dare you deny God's 
personality and materiality % What manner of hand 
was that which hid Moses beneath its palm % Was 
the hinder part of God, seen by Moses, substance or 
spirit ? Did the "judge of all the earth " dine with 
Abraham on veal, bread and butter ? Is it true as 
Jacob says, that he saw God face to face and lived, 
(Gen. xxxii: 20), and was this God an athlete — a 
man, and could not handle or throw — "prevailing 
against Jacob"? (Gen. xxxii: 24). Now, sir, is your 
God a material fact ? Where in the name of all that 
is true, have you a spiritual idea, and yet you tell 
your hearers that " with them, spirit is only matter in 
the highest state of organism ?" Well, this indeed 
excels your estimate, and is not as coarse, besides our 
spirits are modest and appear to us in comely apparel. 

You are right for once, brother. As spiritual 
beings, we are refined matter in its superior state, 
or highest organism ; and God is a Spirit, in whom 
we live and move and have our being, and not a 
coarse, vulgar, material being, pleased one day, and 
showing his face, and angry the next, and showing 
us his hinder parts, and that to sans culotte. 



390 THE TKITTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" Christ's ascension is the highest proof of the 
materialism of the soul." 

Where Brother W. gets this idea from, we are at a 
loss to determine. Certainly it is not a spiritual one, 
but thoroughly Christian. We take no stock what- 
ever in the old mutilated body of Jesus, or in his 
wasted blood, but in his philosophy, his teachings 
and his great humanity. We love Him as our elder 
brother — we do not worship -Him as a God. He 
forbade us, after his ascension in spirit life, to do so. 
Rev. xx: 8, 9. 

"The world is God's body — you are not a man, 
but a thing, a brute." 

Will our brother give the authority for this state- 
ment ? Remember, Brother W., you have said that 
we have no uniformity in our creeds, and here, for the 
fifth time you declare a uniformity, wonderful, if it 
were true ! You cannot find among any of our writ- 
ers a sentence declaring man a brute. We hold that 
the kingdom of God is in man. You hold that it is 
outside of man, and that man cannot enter the king- 
dom, save by the shedding of the blood of God, 
through Jesus Christ. We hold the blood of Jesus 
as we do the blood of Judas — only useful while warm 
and in the body of the man it belongs to. 

"Spiritualism is old Paganism revived." 

Paradox after paradox ! Much preaching hath 
made the Rev. Weller mad ! Your first position is 
as follows : 

" I do not intend to give an elaborate statement of 
this pretentious system of modern infidelity," and 



INCIDENTS. 391 

here you declare it to be old Paganism revived. Do 
you know the meaning of the word infidelity? for 
in your use of the word, you are at fault with its 
meaning. 

"It claims a new revelation. It has always been 
the enemy of God and man." 

We challenge the Eeverened "Weller to find in the 
vast field of Spiritual literature, a sentence conflicting 
with men's rights or liberties, or in which causation 
and formation are denied. Our God, like the God 
of Jesus, is a spirit, and they that worship Him must 
worship in spirit and in truth. John iv: 24. 

Your God, a material being, fully described in one 
hundred and fifty passages, evidences all the bitterness 
of a human being, as described by Moses and the 
prophets. He is a failure — He is the author of 
divorce, laws of slavery, of polygamy, of blood offer- 
ing. Nation after nation He has slaughtered, saving 
the virgins that had not known a man, that is, that 
had not consociated with a man, for the use of his 
soldiers. 

He taxed the people to build him a house, such as 
the world had never seen, and then sent the enemy 
to destroy it. 

Our religion opposes slavery in every form — has 
one God — not three ; bows not to the cross or the 
scaffold ; demands no blood offering. Our God was 
not born of a woman against whom every door was 
shut. He has never repented him He ever made 
man. He is love, truth and fidelity combined, and 
men and angel men are his agents. Your God 



392 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

declares that He has anger, hate, revenge, scorn, and 
that He hateth a lie. He repenteth He ever made 
man. In the mountains He was mighty ; in the val- 
ley, where He hath nothing to hide behind, He could 
not prevail. He deprived man of immortality, and 
then put Himself into the hands of man to be killed, 
that man might be immortal. You, the Reverend 
Weller, ask us to be on friendly terms with such a 
being as your God — the old Moses God — a God 
whose snakes knew more than his man Adam ; who 
eats bread, butter, and veal ; who could not throw 
Jacob ; who used a liar to kill Ahab ; who sends his 
people strong delusions ; who was carried around on 
the shoulders of men ; who chose the Hebrews as his 
favored people, who are a miserable failure, — and you 
to-day are by God used to abuse tlie Jews. 



CHAPTEE LVII. 

Seance at Hannibal, Mo.— Palmyra, Mo.— Chapter of Facts at 
Oskaloosa — A new sensation — Names of Spirits given — Light 
and Darkness — A remarkable opening up of Soul Light. 

SEANCE AT HANNIBAL, MO. 

First. At Hannibal, Mo., on Tuesday night, Feb. 
llth 3 1868, we lectured before a full house, and gave 



SEANCE AT HANNIBAL, MO. 393 

the following test: There is an influence here of a man 
crushed, broken to pieces. It is here, with this group 
of men (there were four men sitting together) on my 
left. Will you please step out, sir, (addressing one of 
them,) so that I can determine which of you may be 
associated with this fact? He did so. That will do, 
sir; I have got it. There is a man with you (describ- 
ing him) who is crushed and mangled very much, and 
I find you in a smash-up on the cars and barely escap- 
ing with your life. I can find no date whatever with 
this fact, and yet I know it is a fact, and took place 
with you, but cannot get the date of the incident, and 
the spirit seems bewildered. 

Answer. I live in Brookfield, Mo. To-day, about 
9 o'clock, west of this, on the St. Jo. Railroad, I was in 
a smash -up, and the man described was killed, and we 
had a narrow escape. 

I never saw this man before, and he could know 
nothing about this whatever. 

Note. No data. 

Reason. Not a day had passed since the accident. 

This is one of the most remarkable incidents on rec- 
ord, for prompt return of spirits, I have ever met. 

Second. At Palmyra, Mo., February 13th instant, 
I lectured before a full house. While lecturing, there 
came a coarse-looking negro spirit, who in life was a 
stout and well-made physical man, but with a low, 
vicious animal organization. He troubled me a good 
deal during my lecture, and finally I said, mentally, 
" What do you want ? " " 'Scribe me." " When did 
you die?" "Done gone and hung me, twenty years 



394 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

'bout gone." " Why did they hang you? " " 'Cause 
dey could." « Did you live here? " " Sartin' I did." 
" Do you know anj'one in the audience?" "I knows 
lots on 'em." u Point out some two or three that you 
know." He did so. " What is your name? " " Tom." 
I then called the attention of the audience to the fact, 
describing the character, action, and peculiarities of 
this spirit, and called on one of the parties he had 
pointed out, and asked if he knew of any such incident 
in the history of Palmyra. 

Answer. I knew the fellow, and saw him executed, 
and your description is correct in everything but one, 
and that is his name. His name was Ben. [" Yah ! 
yah! yah!" laughed the black spirit, " dat was de 
name dey hung, but my first mars' called me Tom."] 

What of it, says the church ? They are but devils, 
evil men let out by Satan to decoy souls down to per- 
dition. Very good, my Christian friends; you admit, 
then, that evil spirits, and the spirits of men and 
women can, if evil, demonstrate their immortality. 
That is one point gained, and a concession on your 
part, that those who are foolish enough to join your 
churches are so controlled by church rule that when 
they get into Eden they do not know enough to return 
unless helped by the serpent, 

FACTS AND TESTS. 

At Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 2d, 1870, we turned to 
Mr. C, saying: " We see you in a very excited state. 
You are very angry. There are before you three boys," 



FACTS AND TESTS. 395 

fully describing them. " You defend the larger boy, 
and are blamed by your neighbors, they taking sides 
against you; but you were not to blame. The lesser 
boy was the aggressor; you were right." 

We were tarrying at the very pleasant home of 
Brother and Sister Garritsen's. On the morning of 
the 3d Dr. S. called on us, and in a respectful manner 
asked for a repetition of what we had seen, observing: 

" I am the father of the lesser boy, and if my boy is 
at fault I am willing to make amends for the wrong 
and blame I attached to Mr. 0." 

Just then I looked up through the door, which was 
open, and saw Mr. C. He came to the gate and asked 
Mr. G. if "Wilson was in. We arose and went to the 
gate, saying: 

" Good morning, Mr. C, will you come in? " 

" ISTo, Mr. Wilson; I came this morning to brand as 
a falsehood the statement you made last night in re- 
gard to me. You have wronged me, and you had no 
business to repeat the story." 

This was spoken in bitterness. 

"What statement did we make?" 

"You stated, that in the matter of difference about 
the boys, I was to blame, which is false; and the party 
that told you told you a falsehood ; and it is that which 
I have come to brand as a falsehood." 

" Come in, sir." 

" No." 

" Yes you will, for I am prepared to settle this mat- 
ter right here." 

So he came into the house. ^ 



396 THE TRUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

" Now, sir, let me fully understand you. You say, 
first, that we said you were to blame in the matter of 
the boys?" 

" Yes." 

" Second, that some one told us, and we related it to 
you for the purpose of injuring you in this place? " 

"Yes." 

"Now, sir, who told us?" 

"I don't know; how should I? You claim that 
spirits told you, which I do n 't believe a word of, for 
I have no faith in Spiritualism." 

" Now, sir, you are just where I want you; and every 
word you have uttered is false, and you know it is so. 
In the first place, we never said that you were to blame, 
but that you were not to blame, and you could not mis- 
understand us; hence you have uttered that which is 
false, for here is Dr. S. who did blame you, and is now 
here on this same affair, asking why he was to blame." 

"Yes," said the doctor, " I came on purpose; for 
Wilson blamed me, and not you." 

Mr. and Mrs. G. confirmed Dr. S. 

" Second, in regard to the story retailed by me, as 
charged by you, I answer that the man who utters it, 
or says that the statement was second hand from me — 
that is, that some person in the form told us, and we 
retailed it, that man, whether you, or anyone else, 
utters that which is not true, and means to tell a lie ; 
and, as a minister of God, you have no right to sus- 
picion your neighbor, or accuse him falsely ; and I am 
prepared to prove that every statement made by you 
this morning is incorrect, and every person with whom 



A SPIRITUAL SENSATION. 397 

we have talked are here, and can answer for themselves ;" 
and then an appeal was taken to the parties present, 
and we were sustained. 

"As to your belief in Spiritualism, what care we for 
it. You can have no less belief in Spiritualism than 
we have in theology, from either the Christian or Uni- 
versalist stand-point ; and we here affirm that no min- 
ister can be relied on, where testifying to that which 
conflicts with his orders as a minister." 

A SPIRITUAL SENSATION. 

The Troy Daily Whig of March 14, 18T0, notices 
our lectures as follows: 

March 5, 1870, a new spiritual medium suddenly 
manifested himself in our community. He came un- 
heralded, but promises to produce a spiritual revival 
here, such as we have not had since the advent of the 
new and strange doctrine of which the medium is such 
a powerful exponent. His name is E. Y. Wilson, and 
he held forth yesterday at Apollo Hall to large and in- 
terested audiences. We were not present, but are told 
of some wonderful feats performed by him. After the 
lecture in the evening, which was a very sensible pro- 
duction, Mr. Wilson introduced some tests to prove 
the truth of Spiritualism. To a gentleman sitting in 
the hall he said: 

" I see standing by that young man the spirit of a 
second lieutenant in the army, who was his friend, and 
who died from the effects of a wound in his side." 

The gentleman admitted that he had lost such a 
friend in the army 



398 THE TRUTHS OR SPIRITUALISM. 

" That lady," said Mr. Wilson, referring to a person 
sitting near the aisle, nearly half-way back from the 
stage, in the hall, " has lost a young lady friend. The 
spirit now stands beside her. The deceased was about 
eighteen or nineteen years of age when she departed 
this life. Am I correct?" 

The lady said, "The statements are correct." 
Several tests of this kind were given, and in nearly 
every instance were pronounced correct. It is impos- 
sible that there could have been any collusion between 
the speaker and the subjects he selected as means of 
testing his powers, and the wonder and excitement 
among the audience at times were very great. 

SPIRITUALISM — LECTURE — NAMES OF SPIRITS 
GIVEN— GHOSTS DESCRIBED. 

Apollo Hall was densely packed last evening by 
people drawn thither by the wonderful stories afloat 
in regard to E. Y. Wilson, who described and gave 
the names of spirits present in the hall, outside of the 
body. The hall was so crowded that over two hundred 
persons were unable to obtain seats. Mr. Wilson took 
his text from an incident which occurred in his hear- 
ing on Saturday, when he was pointed out in the street 
as the Spiritualistic medium, at which a conversation 
arose between a couple of gentlemen in regard to Spir- 
itualism. One asserted that it was true, but it was of 
the devil. From this the lecturer took his text: " The 
Devil and Diabolism." Space forbids a report of the 
lecture, but in the way of illustrative testimony and 
powerful eloquence, the lecturer is one of the best ex- 



LIGHT AND DARKNESS. 399 

ponents of the so-called Spiritual philosophy that has 
ever been in our midst. At the close of the lecture, 
Mr. Wilson said that he saw near him a tall gentleman, 
of dark complexion, with black hair, who gave his 
name as Lansing, who once lived in the 'burg by that 
name, and who would be now ninety years of age. 
Description of habits and life given; recognized by 
many in the audience. Description of life and pecu- 
liarities of Mr. Benedict, who removed to Albany 
fifteen years ago, but died in this city; recognized. 
Mr. Delaware, of West Troy — life, business, and time 
of death given; recognized by many. Mr. Bennett, 
once of the Troy House. We do not know whether 
this person was recognized by any one or not. 



LIGHT AND DARKNESS. 

On the evening of Thursday, Oct. 12th, 1871, we 
lectured is Esgate schoolhouse, Jackson county, Iowa. 
It is a wayside schoolhouse, in the edge of the woods. 
Before leaving the comfortable farm house of my 
friends, the Bradways, we observed that we had a 
strange and peculiar feeling, such as we never before 
passed through. During the lecture we felt our usual 
speaking influence. Our discourse was earnest, and 
we entered with zeal into our text. The text was as 
follows: "Ante-natal and post-natal laws, and their 
influence on mankind." 

There were a hundred and twelve earnest men and 
women present. After the lecture we gave several 
tine readings of character, and dismissed the audience. 



400 THE TEUTHS OF SPIRITUALISM. 

Now, it was very dark out doors ; not a star to be 
seen, for it was cloudy overhead, and within two days 
of the new of the moon. As we came toward the door 
we heard such remarks as these: "How dark it is." 
"Oh! how dark; how shall we get home?" " I do 
believe it will rain before we get home." 

On stepping out of the house into the open air, 
everything was in a golden mellow light; not daylight 
or moonlight; it was light. We looked np aud down 
the road for the cause; there was no apparent cause. 
We turned to a friend, and said: " Can you see, Char- 
ley; is it very dark? " 

He replied, " I can see nothing; why do you ask? " 

" Because everything is perfectly dear to me. I 
can see the buttons on that lady's coat; the curls in 
that lady's hair; I can see the color of your hair." 

And this light accompanied me to the door of the 
Bradways, full a half mile from the schoolhouse. I 
called the attention of the Bradways, the Stevens, and 
others to tlie phenomenon. I heard no voice, or saw 
any spirits. 

On the 16th of October I met my friend Dr. Pratt, 
of Wheaton, 111., at Turner Junction; called his atten- 
tion to the fact. On reaching my house Mrs. W. in- 
formed me of the burning to death of her sister Ma- 
tilda and her two children, Lincoln and the baby; and 
instantly I heard a voice speaking out of the air, " Re- 
member the light, and send for my husband and chil- 
dren." And we answered from the very depths of our 
soul, " We will." 

FINIS. 



